Elsevier, the global information analytics company specializing in science and health, has selected Ana G. Herraiz, PhD student in ICIQ Marcos García Sueros’s group as one of the 45 finalists for the 2019 Reaxys PhD Prize. Launched in 2010, the Reaxys PhD Prize celebrates innovative and rigorous research by ambitious young chemists.

This year’s competition maintained the high standards of previous years. The Review Committee have rigorously examined over 360 entries from around the globe to arrive at the 45 finalists. G. Herraiz’s work, within the García Suero team, on the development of novel carbon-based reactive species for the discovery of new reactivity rules at carbon enabled by photoredox catalysis with the ultimate goal of modifying feedstock chemicals and medically relevant agents. More specifically, her work to put forth the Nature paper “Generating carbyne equivalents with photoredox catalysis” has granted her a seat on her own right among the most innovative young chemists worldwide.

The 45 finalists are invited to the Reaxys PhD Prize Symposium that will be held on October 3 and 4, 2019, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This celebratory gathering includes special events, poster sessions for finalists to showcase their research, keynote presentations and a gala dinner. It is also a great opportunity to network with fellow finalists and international leaders in chemistry. “It is so important that young innovative researchers of different disciplines are gathering to celebrate their achievements, are supported in establishing networks to address current scientific challenges—often solvable by working across disciplines” said Dr. Friedrich Kroll, co-organizer of the competition.

During the Reaxys Prize Symposium the ten short-listed finalists will give oral presentations of their research. From these presentations, the Reaxys Advisory Board will select the three winners of the 2019 Reaxys PhD Prize. The winners will be announced at the gala dinner on the final evening of the Symposium. The finalists receive lifelong membership in the Reaxys Prize Club, an exclusive international network of chemists from all research areas and career paths. Members also receive unlimited access to Elsevier’s Reaxys platform and Reaxys Medicinal chemistry.