A BALSALL Common scientist has been handed a top award.
Dr Sebastian Pike has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) Sir Edward Frankland Prize in recognition of brilliance in research and innovation.
Based at the University of Warwick, Dr Pike won the prize for his studies on the synthesis and photochemistry of metal-oxo cluster molecules and how their properties may be used by carefully tuning their size, composition, and surface chemistry can be used in future products.
Dr Pike also receives £3,000 and a medal.
After receiving the prize, he said: “Surprised and very pleased. It is a great motivation to keep going with our ideas.”
He joins a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.
Dr Helen Pain, chief executive of the RSC, said: “The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.
“The RSC’s prizes programme enables us to reflect on and celebrate the incredible individuals and teams whose brilliance enriches our knowledge, advances our understanding, and brings new ideas and technologies that benefit society as a whole. We’re very proud to recognise the contributions of our winners today.”
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. In 2019, the organisation announced the biggest overhaul of this portfolio in its history, designed to better reflect modern scientific work and culture.
The Research and Innovation Prizes celebrate brilliant individuals across industry and academia. They include prizes for those at different career stages in general chemistry and for those working in specific fields, as well as interdisciplinary prizes and prizes for those in specific roles.
