Rei Jaume I Award in Basic Research for Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren from ICIQ

The scientist receives this award for excellence in basic research in Valencia for his exceptional achievements and outstanding research in the field of gold catalysis

King Felipe VI presented today in Valencia the prestigious Rei Jaume I Award in Basic Research to Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren, group leader at ICIQ and scientific director of the Severo Ochoa Programme at the Institute, in a ceremony held at Llotja dels Mercaders.

In this distinguished ceremony, one of the most significant social events in the Valencian Community, Prof. Echavarren was recognized for his outstanding work in the field of gold catalysis. This area is crucial for the development of efficient synthetic methodologies, and Prof. Echavarren’s contributions have opened new avenues for the synthesis of complex organic compounds and medicines.

The scientist expressed his gratitude to the Rei Jaume I Foundation as follows: “I thank the Rei Jaume I Foundation for this honor. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and tireless work of my research team, collaborators, and colleagues. For me, this award highlights the importance of basic research in our society.”

Prof. Echavarren’s contributions have had a significant impact on the scientific community and have influenced the advancement of chemistry. With an internationally recognized trajectory, the professor has won several awards, including the Janssen-Cylag Award in Organic Chemistry (2004), the Gold Medal of the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) (2010), and, recently, the National Research Award Enrique Moles (2022).

Other awardees in this year’s edition of the Rei Jaume I Awards include Olympia Bover Hidiroglu in Economics, Guillermina López-Bendito in Medical Research, Carlota Escutia Dotti in Environmental Protection, Daniel Maspoch Comamala in New Technologies, and Alfonso Jiménez Rodríguez-Vila in Entrepreneurship.

About Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren: A Pioneer in Gold Catalysis

Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren is recognized for his outstanding contributions in the field of catalysis, especially in gold-catalysed reactions. With an extensive internationally recognized career, the scientist has received numerous awards, including the Janssen-Cylag Award in Organic Chemistry (2004), the Gold Medal of the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) (2010), and the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society (2015). Recently, he was honoured with the National Research Award Enrique Moles (2022).

With two ERC Advanced Grants, Prof. Echavarren leads the Severo Ochoa excellence programme at ICIQ. In addition to his outstanding research work, he is part of the editorial board of prestigious scientific journals, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a member of the European Academy. His presidency at Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry RSEQ highlights his influence in the scientific community.

About the Rei Jaume I Awards

Since their creation in 1989, the Rei Jaume I Awards have recognized exceptional individuals for their impact in various scientific and technological fields. Aimed at promoting research and innovation, these awards represent one of the highest honours in Spain. Each prize, endowed with 100,000 euros, highlights the dedication and significant impact of the awardees on society, emphasizing their commitment to scientific excellence and contribution to progress.