About the prize
The Janssen Prize for Creativity in Organic Synthesis was established in 1986 by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, members of the academic chemistry community and the Belgian Organic Synthesis Symposium (BOSS) to bring attention to the positive impact of organic synthesis in drug discovery.
- This prestigious recognition is awarded every two years to a chemist, under the age of 50, who has made a significant contribution to the field of organic synthesis
- Nominations are submitted by the global academic community of organic chemists
- A panel of international jury members, chaired by Prof. B. Feringa, 2016 Nobel Prize winner, select the winner.
- The recipient receives 20.000 Euros, a trophy, a plaque and delivers a keynote address at BOSS.
Learn more about our 30-year legacy established in 1986 and our impressive winners here
Congratulations to our 2024 winner!
Melanie S. Sanford
Professor of Chemistry
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Prof. Melanie S. Sanford is a highly creative scientist and a world leader in the fields of organic synthesis and catalysis. She has made outstanding contributions in developing novel methods for C-H functionalization and fluorination, in mechanistic studies of high valent organometallic complexes, and in designing organic electrolytes for redox flow batteries as modern energy storage systems.
She will be recognized and deliver a keynote lecture at the BOSS XVIII in Liège, Belgium, June 30 - July 5, 2024.
She is the first female winner in the Prize’s 30+ year history. Find out more about her significant contributions to the field here.
