Darren Dixon and Michael Willis receive Arthur C. Cope Distinguished Scholars Award

The Department of Chemistry is pleased to share that Professors Darren Dixon and Michael Willis have been named recipients of the 2026 Arthur C. Cope Distinguished Scholars Award.

Prof Michael Willis receives the award for the development of new reagents, processes, and catalysts that have opened up the use of sulfur dioxide in synthetic chemistry. Prof Darren Dixon's award is for innovative contributions in catalyst and method development and related applications to concise total syntheses of complex bioactive natural products.

The Arthur C. Cope Scholar Awards, established in 1984 by the American Chemical Society, are among the most prestigious recognitions in organic chemistry. They were created to honor and encourage outstanding achievement and innovation in the field.