Content authored by Dr Fiorella Dell'Olio, image adapted by Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge.
The Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry was delighted to hear and share the news that three of its former PhD students - Professors Alessio Ciulli, Jonathan Clayden and Dek Woolfson - have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society(FRS).
Each of these distinguished scholars has made pioneering contributions to their respective fields, with a lasting impact on both the scientific community and future generations of researchers. Their election to the Royal Society reflects the Department’s long-standing tradition of fostering excellence and innovation in chemical research.
Professor Alessio Ciulli, now at the University of Dundee, is internationally recognised for his work in chemical biology and drug discovery. His research focuses on developing novel chemical tools to study cellular processes and identify new therapeutic opportunities. A former PhD student at Cambridge under the supervision of the late Professor Chris Abell, Professor Ciulli’s work continues to bridge the disciplines of chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Professor Ciulli said, “Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society is an incredible and humbling honour, and a privilege to be recognised alongside so many esteemed colleagues. Our primary goal is to make meaningful advances in fundamental understanding that accelerate the development of new medicines, so it is especially encouraging to see our efforts acknowledged by the Royal Society. This recognition reflects the innovative work of my research group, which began in the Department of Chemistry at Cambridge 16 years ago and, as of today, has included just over 200 members, past and present.”
Professor Jonathan Clayden, based at the University of Bristol, is a leading figure in synthetic chemistry. His innovative approaches to molecules with dynamic structure and their reaction mechanisms have advanced fundamental understanding in the field. A former PhD student of the late Dr Stuart Warren at Cambridge, Professor Clayden has helped to redefine the art of designing and building complex functional molecules.
Professor Clayden said, “I’m completely delighted, and extremely honoured, to have been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This recognition reflects the ways we have harnessed the power of molecular synthesis to explore and illuminate broader scientific concepts. It is also a tribute to the creativity and dedication of the outstanding colleagues I have been privileged to work with in my research group.”
Professor Dek Woolfson, also at the University of Bristol, is renowned for his research in peptide assembly and protein design. His work on creating artificial proteins has opened new frontiers in cell biology, synthetic biology, and materials science. He completed his PhD at Cambridge under the supervision of the late Professor Dudley Williams FRS, laying the groundwork for his groundbreaking research in biomolecular design.
Professor Woolfson said, “I was completely bowled over to learn that I had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is an honour for me personally, but more importantly, it recognises the research of my colleagues over the past 30 years or so. The time I spent in the University Chemical Laboratory was among the happiest and most formative of my early adult and professional life. I remember those days fondly and truly appreciate the experience and training I received. That, combined with the freedom Dudley gave us to explore our ideas, gave my scientific and academic career a great start.”
Congratulations to Professors Ciulli, Clayden, and Woolfson on this well-deserved recognition. The Department of Chemistry is proud to have been part of their early journeys and celebrates their continued success and impact in the scientific community.
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