Birkbeck chemist wins prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry award
Emeritus Professor Michael Thompson is the Royal Society of Chemistry Anne Bennett Memorial Award for Distinguished Service winner for 2016.
Professor Michael Thompson has won the Royal Society of Chemistry Anne Bennett Memorial Award for Distinguished Service.
Born in Lambeth and raised in London, Professor Thompson said he is “delighted but surprised” to have won the award, which recognises exceptional voluntary services to the Royal Society of Chemistry Analytical Division - typically at least ten years.
The awards committee chose Professor Thompson for “his outstanding contribution to the development and recognition of the work of the Analytical Division and its Analytical Methods Committee”, and he will receive £1,000 and a certificate.
His research involves assessing and improving the quality of analytical data, the performance of the laboratories producing them, and the development of statistical models and procedures to support these activities.
Professor Thompson said: “My chief interest is in proficiency testing, in which analytical laboratories regularly receive samples of unknown composition for blind analysis and submit their results to the scheme provider for comparison with the correct results.
“Participation in such a scheme is now compulsory for all analytical laboratories worldwide seeking or maintaining accreditation, which is in turn a requirement for working in a quality environment (i.e., for virtually every application of chemical measurement).”
An illustrious list of 47 previous winners of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Awards have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their pioneering work, including Harry Kroto, Fred Sanger and Linus Pauling.
Dr Robert Parker, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry said: “It is an honour to recognise the illustrious achievements of our prize and award winners in our 175th anniversary year.
“We were founded in 1841 by a group of academics, industrialists and doctors who understood the power of the chemical sciences to change our world for the better. Our winners share that vision and are advancing excellence in their fields, whether through innovative research or inspirational teaching and outreach.
“We are proud to celebrate and support the work of inspiring and influential individuals, whose work has the potential to improve so many lives.”
Further information:
- Information for prospective students in the Department of Biological Sciences
- Professor Michael Thompson
- Royal Society for Chemistry