May 6, 2019
Professor Voth, of the University of Chicago, has won the award for the development and application of powerful multiscale theoretical and computational methods in the study of liquids, materials, biomolecules, and quantum mechanical systems.
Receiving the award, Professor Voth said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive the S F Boys-A Rahman Award from the RSC. In part this is because Aneesur Rahman was arguably the father of molecular dynamics simulation, and in part because receiving such a prestigious award from the RSC highlights international recognition of my research.”
Professor Voth was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, USA. He currently calls Chicago home, after studying at the University of Kansas and the California Institute of Technology. In winning the award ProfessorVothalso receives £2,000 and a medal.
Dr Robert Parker, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry said: “Over the years, our lives have been significantly improved by the chemical sciences, from medicines and food to the environment itself. We are proud of the contribution the chemical sciences make to our global community, which is why it is right for us to recognise important innovations and expertise such as these.
“Our Prizes and Awards recognise people from a range of different specialisms, backgrounds and locations. Every winner is an inspiration to the chemistry community and will play an incredibly important role in enriching people’s lives for generations to come.”
Professor Voth’s work involves the computer simulation and modeling of complex molecular processes, in order to help understand key phenomena in chemistry, biology, and materials science. He specializes in treating “multiscale” problems in which there is a complicated coupling in both space and time between the molecular and larger scales. These are a unique challenge and require a unique approach to address them. Some of his work is also pertinent to the design of new technologies, such as pharmaceuticals and energy conversion materials.
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Awards and Prizes are awarded in recognition of originality and impact of research, or for each winner’s contribution to the chemical sciences industry or education. They also acknowledge the importance of teamwork across the chemical sciences, as well as the abilities of individuals to develop successful collaborations.
Of those to have won a Royal Society of Chemistry Award, an illustrious list of 50 have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their pioneering work, including 2016 Nobel laureates Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Ben Feringa.
This press release was written by the Royal Society of Chemistry.