Professor David Wales from the Department of Chemistry is a Royal Society of Chemistry Tilden Prize winner for 2015.
The Tilden Prize, founded in 1939, commemorates Sir William Augustus Tilden, British chemist and pioneer in the teaching of science, and the prizes are awarded for advances in chemistry. Prize winners are evaluated for the originality and impact of their research, as well as the quality of the results which can be shown in publications, patents, or even software.
The awards also recognise the importance of teamwork across the chemical sciences, and the abilities of individuals to develop successful collaborations.
Professor Wales and his team investigate the possible structures of different chemicals and how they function in those structures. They use computer modelling to simulate different versions of the molecules. This can have an impact on the chemistry of life, and on how we identify substances from the effect they have on light that passes through them, among many other applications. Professor Wales receives £5000, a medal and certificate and will complete a UK lecture tour.
“I am tremendously grateful for this recognition, and to all the group members and collaborators, past and present, who have helped to make the research experience so exciting,” he said.
Dr Robert Parker, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “It is always a pleasure to recognise excellence in the chemical sciences and I am pleased to acknowledge the illustrious achievements of our prize and award winners this year.
“Whether they work in research, industry or academia, our winners are the very best in their fields, and they can be very proud to follow in the footsteps of some of the most influential and important scientists around the world.
“In a complex and changing world, chemistry and the chemical sciences are vital in responding to some of humanity’s biggest challenges and our prize and award winners are at the forefront of meeting that challenge.”
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the world’s leading chemistry community and the UK's professional body for chemical scientists, advancing excellence in the chemical sciences. Forty-seven previous winners of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Awards have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their pioneering work, including Harry Kroto, Fred Sanger and Linus Pauling.