MacMillan Named Honorary Fellow by the Royal Society of Chemistry
David MacMillan, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and 2021 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, has been named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the highest honor bestowed by the oldest chemical society in the world.
MacMillan was recognized for his groundbreaking work on asymmetric organocatalysis and his “passionate” advocacy for science education and opportunity.
This places him in a group of just 120 individuals worldwide who have been chosen for the honor. Among them are 40 Nobel laureates as well as long-standing, distinguished members of the international chemistry community.
“This is fantastic. When you find out that you’re being honored by the Royal Society of Chemistry and to understand that people got together and wanted to give you this, it is very humbling,” said MacMillan.
David MacMillan has been named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, based in London.
“Speaking of my peers, scientists are some of the most noble people in the world. They wake up every day, they think about solutions we need, and then they go off and spend all their time doing that. They’re not doing it for recognition but because they care, they’re curious, and they’re really driven to understand science.
“The day I won the Nobel five years ago, someone asked me what that meant to me. And I said, I just want to be a good laureate. What does that mean? It means sharing a love of science, especially with young people around the world so they know that being a scientist and being a chemist is a great way to do something bigger with your life,” MacMillan added.
“I’m proud of being a chemist, I’m proud of the U.K., I’m proud of being Scottish. So the chance to be an honorary fellow is just mind-blowing. I want to be an ambassador for chemistry and hopefully I can continue to do that in ways that will be useful to the RSC.”
Seven individuals total were awarded the honorary title this year. Among them are Carolyn Bertozzi of Stanford University, the 2022 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry; and Demis Hassabis of Google, the 2024 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry. Recipients will be honored at the Society’s annual Summer Party in July.
“The title of Honorary Fellow is among the Royal Society of Chemistry’s highest distinctions, celebrating individuals whose contributions have profoundly shaped our discipline and amplified its impact across society,” said Annette Doherty, president of the Society.
“This year, we are proud to recognize seven outstanding scientists whose work spans continents and transforms lives. Three of those honored this year are Nobel Prize winners whose work stands right at the cutting edge. Professor Sir David MacMillan’s research in organocatalysis has revolutionized synthetic chemistry.”
Based in London, the Royal Society of Chemistry was chartered 175 years ago under Queen Victoria. The Society has been awarding special honorary Fellowships since 1980. Today, its mission is to advance excellence in the chemical sciences.
Click here for the full announcement on the honorees from the Royal Society of Chemistry.