R. B. Woodward Professorship

R. B. Woodward Professorship. This distinguished endowed chair at Harvard University is one of the most prestigious appointments in the field of organic chemistry. Established in honor of the legendary chemist Robert Burns Woodward, it recognizes and supports scholars whose work embodies the transformative, interdisciplinary spirit of its namesake. The professorship is housed within the university's renowned Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

History and establishment

The professorship was formally established in 1960, a period when Robert Burns Woodward was at the peak of his influential career at Harvard University. This creation was a direct tribute to Woodward's monumental achievements, which included the total synthesis of complex natural products like strychnine and chlorophyll, and his development of the Woodward–Hoffmann rules for pericyclic reactions. The endowment was secured through the generous support of alumni, colleagues, and admirers from the global chemical and pharmaceutical industries, including leaders from companies like Merck & Co. and Pfizer. Its establishment solidified a permanent legacy for Woodward within the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ensuring future generations of scholars would be inspired by his example.

Notable holders

The inaugural and most iconic holder was, naturally, Robert Burns Woodward himself, who occupied the chair from its inception until his death in 1979. His successor was his close collaborator, Yoshito Kishi, a master of synthetic methodology who made landmark contributions to the synthesis of palytoxin and halichondrins. The third holder was Stuart Schreiber, a pioneer in chemical biology who co-founded the field of chemical genetics and established the Broad Institute's Chemical Biology Program. The current holder, appointed in 2013, is Eric Jacobsen, whose work in asymmetric catalysis and organocatalysis has profoundly impacted pharmaceutical and materials science. This lineage connects some of the most influential figures in modern organic chemistry.

Selection and appointment process

Appointment to this professorship is governed by the rigorous standards of Harvard University and its Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The process is initiated by a confidential search committee typically composed of senior faculty from within the department, often including former holders and members of related institutes like the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Candidates are evaluated on a global scale for their transformative research contributions, which must reflect the intellectual daring and experimental brilliance associated with Robert Burns Woodward. Final approval involves the President and Fellows of Harvard College, following recommendations from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the department chair. The selection is considered one of the highest honors in the discipline.

Associated research and contributions

Holders of the professorship have been central to defining the frontiers of chemical science. Woodward's own tenure was marked by the synthesis of vitamin B12 and his theoretical work with Roald Hoffmann. Under Yoshito Kishi, research advanced the synthesis of marine neurotoxins and anticancer agents. Stuart Schreiber's tenure bridged chemistry and biology, using small molecules to probe cell signaling pathways and gene expression, influencing drug discovery at organizations like the National Institutes of Health. Current holder Eric Jacobsen's lab focuses on developing novel catalytic systems for enantioselective synthesis, impacting industries from agrochemicals to pharmaceuticals. Their collective work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, and the National Medal of Science.

Endowment and funding

The professorship is supported by a permanent endowment fund managed by the Harvard Management Company. The initial principal was raised from a consortium of donors, including prominent figures from the chemical industry, philanthropic foundations, and grateful alumni of Harvard College. The endowment's growth ensures the holder receives dedicated support for laboratory operations, graduate student and postdoctoral researcher stipends, and discretionary research funds. This financial stability allows for ambitious, long-term research projects that might be difficult to sustain through standard National Science Foundation or National Institutes of Health grants alone, fostering an environment of high-risk, high-reward scientific inquiry emblematic of Woodward's own career.

Category:Harvard University Category:Academic chairs Category:Chemistry awards and honors