Jérôme Waser wins Springer Heterocyclic Chemistry Award

The Springer Heterocyclic Chemistry Award is presented every four years to an outstanding independent academic researcher working in the field of heterocyclic chemistry. It was created by Springer and the series editors of the book series Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry. The award is given to assistant, associate or full professors up to 45 years of age, and it considers all aspects of heterocyclic chemistry, including experimental and theoretical work.

The 2016 Springer Heterocyclic Chemistry Award has been given to Jérôme Waser, who directs the Laboratory of Catalysis and Organic Synthesis at EPFL. Springer has quoted Waser’s exceptional research achievements in “the advancement of multiple areas of heterocyclic chemistry, and his highly original work has already had an impact in academia and industry.” Waser’s research is diverse, including the use of reactive heterocycles (benziodoxol(on)es) for the development of new reactions in organic chemistry, the C-H functionalization of heterocycles, and the synthesis of heterocycles via cyclization and annulation reactions.

The editorial board of the series Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry said in a statement: “It is our pleasure to announce Jérôme Waser as the winner of the Springer Heterocyclic Chemistry Award 2016. Waser is pursuing highly creative research towards the development of new synthetic methods, particularly those employing hypervalent iodine derivatives for the preparation of a variety of heterocycles with applications to synthesis of natural products and/or bioactive compounds.”

The Award will be presented during the European Colloquium on Heterocyclic Chemistry in Amsterdam, which will take place from 3-6 July 2016, where Waser will give a special lecture as this year’s winner. The award also includes a travel grant to attend the Colloquium, a €1,000 cash prize, and a lifelong online subscription to Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry.