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Tomislav Fri拧膷i膰 awarded Steacie Prize for Natural Sciences

Fri拧膷i膰 becomes the third 平特五不中ian to win the prestigious prize, the first in the history of the prize for research in the field of Green Chemistry
Published: 14 December 2018

Professor is the recipient of the prestigious for his exceptional contributions to Green Chemistry research in Canada. He is the third 平特五不中 professor to win the Steacie Prize, and the first ever 平特五不中 professor to win it for chemistry. The two previous winners from 平特五不中 are Vicky Kaspi, Physics and Astronomy (2006) and Phil Gold, Medicine (1973).

The Steacie Prize for Natural Sciences is one of Canada鈥檚 most prestigious awards presented to a young scientist or engineer of 40 years of age or less for outstanding scientific research carried out in Canada. The winner of the prize is selected by a distinguished panel, which is appointed annually by the E.W.R Steacie Memorial Fund, a private foundation dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering in Canada. Professor Fri拧膷i膰 was chosen as the most outstanding candidate among 22 nominees for the 2018 prize, in acknowledgment of his consistent and notable research accomplishments in the field of Green Chemistry. The Fund awards one $10,000 prize annually.

This award is particularly special for the Department of Chemistry. Edgar William Richard Steacie 鈥 for whom the prize is named鈥 was himself a professor of physical chemistry at 平特五不中 for 13 years before joining the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). He became the director of the NRC's chemistry division in 1939, the Scientific Vice-President of the NRC in 1950, and later served as President from 1952 to 1962.

鈥淲e are grateful to the Trustees of the E.W.R Steacie Memorial Fund for their support of innovative research,鈥 said Martha Crago, Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation. 鈥淧rofessor Fri拧膷i膰 is most deserving of continued recognition as one of Canada鈥檚 most talented young researchers, in pursuit of environmentally friendly alternatives to solvent-based chemical processes.鈥

鈥淭he enthusiasm, innovation and international acclaim of his research made Professor Fri拧膷i膰 the ideal candidate for the Steacie Prize in the Natural Sciences,鈥 said Professor Bruce Lennox, 平特五不中鈥檚 Dean of Science and Professor Fri拧膷i膰鈥檚 nominator. 鈥淗is research is bold, exciting and directed towards transformative ideas in chemical research and industrial manufacturing.鈥

Professor Fri拧膷i膰 and his lab are developing new, innovative approaches to chemical research and manufacturing, pursuing the hypothesis that solid-state reactions will provide cleaner, faster and more diverse chemical reactions. The co-author of almost 200 peer-reviewed papers and 17 book chapters, Professor Fri拧膷i膰 has established himself as an internationally recognized leader in solid-state and solvent-free chemistry. His research has created new opportunities and patented processes in a wide range of chemical activities, from pharmaceuticals and new materials for sequestration of greenhouse gases, to safer and cleaner routes for processing biomass, metals and critical elements.

鈥淭his award is really a recognition of the hard work and enthusiasm of our research students, associates and postdocs, as well as of the support provided to us by our Department at 平特五不中 and the Canadian research community,鈥 said Professor Fri拧膷i膰. 鈥淚t is the first such award for Green Chemistry 鈥 efforts in developing cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly chemical procedures. Recognizing the importance of Green Chemistry through such a prestigious award is extremely important and illustrates the dedication of Canadian research to tackling the global environmental challenge faced by our society.鈥

Though still considered an early-career researcher, Professor Fri拧膷i膰鈥檚 research productivity, and proven ability to tackle the current and future challenges in Green Chemistry, make him one of Canada鈥檚 top scientists. He has received many prestigious awards for his innovative research, including the 2018 from the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the first awarded to a researcher in Chemistry at 平特五不中. Also in 2018, he became a member of the s.

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