Bristol chemistry researchers win Philip Leverhulme Prizes

Left to right: Dr John Bower; Dr David Glowacki

27 October 2016

Two researchers in the School of Chemistry have been awarded 2016 Philip Leverhulme Prizes in recognition of their early-career achievements and exceptional promise.

Dr John Bower’s research lies within the area of asymmetric catalysis, with a particular focus on metal-catalysed processes and their application to heterocyclic chemistry. Research in Dr Bower’s group involves the development of new metal-catalysed carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming processes. Applications of the new methods to N-heterocyclic chemistry, total synthesis and medicinal chemistry are also pursued. Dr Bower’s research is of high interest to the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors, with several projects supported by major multinational companies.

Dr David Glowacki conducts research in a diverse range of fields, including: computational simulation of classical and quantum reaction dynamics; non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and energy transfer; the stochastic master equation; atmospheric and environmental chemistry; high-performance computing and new interfaces for molecular dynamics (for example, using virtual reality for molecular simulation); and artistic representation of scientific concepts (such as his acclaimed danceroom Spectroscopy project).

Further information

The Philip Leverhulme Prizes recognise the achievement of early career researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising. The prize scheme makes up to 30 awards of £100,000 a year, across a range of academic disciplines.