Investing in the success of young chemists

Solvay has a proud tradition of championing initiatives that combine scientific and educational endeavors to reinvent progress.

Since 2014, we have participated in the high-profile and highly-respected annual prize program organized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry 
(IUPAC). Awarded annually during the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, the International IUPAC-Solvay Award for Young Chemists recognizes the best international doctoral theses in chemistry. Solvay’s presence on the jury ensures the integrity of the award, as well as full alignment with Solvay's values, including ethics and sustainability.

Winners of the 2022 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists

The five winners of the 2023 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists are:

  • Dr. Eduard Bobylev: “Spherical coordination-based MnL2n assemblies: construction, confinement, catalysis and bio application”
  • Dr. Craig Day: “Understanding Nickel Catalysis at the Molecular Level: Insights into C-O Functionalization and Electron Transfer Events”
  • Dr. Nikita Hanikel : “Atmospheric Water Harvesting with Metal–Organic Organic Frameworks”
  • Dr. Apurva Panjla: “Therapeutic Potential of Short Peptide Conjugates as Novel Antibiotics and Osteoinductive Agents”
  • Dr. Yu Zheng: “Molecular design of polymer semiconductors for skin-inspired electronics”

There were 58 applications from individuals receiving their Ph.D. degrees from institutions in 21 countries. The award selection committee, chaired by Professor Christopher Brett, IUPAC Past President, comprised members of the IUPAC Bureau and a senior science advisor from Solvay, all of whom have a wide range of experience in chemistry.
In view of the many high-quality applications, the Committee also decided to award four Honorable Mentions to:

  • Dr. Yuanxin Deng (China/Beijing/Netherlands), Ph.D., University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • Dr. Karthick Govindan (India, China/Taipei), Ph.D., Kaohsiung Medical University, China/Taipei
  • Dr. Renyu Guo (China/Beijing, USA), Ph.D., Indiana University Bloomington, USA
  • Dr. Aron Peter (Hungary, UK), Ph.D., University of Manchester, UK