York chemist awarded Royal Society Research Professorship

Posted on Monday 5 September 2016

He is one of six scientists to be honoured by the Society in a post that will run for approximately five years.  The award provides long-term support for internationally recognised work in areas such as biochemistry, genetics, chemistry, developmental biology and physics.

Professor Davies has made discoveries relating to the role of specific parts of an enzyme’s structure in the catalysis of carbohydrate synthesis, modification and breakdown reactions. His insights mean that molecules can be designed to mimic or interfere with these reactions, offering potential new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. 

Inspire a generation

Commenting on the appointment, Professor Davies, from the University's Department of Chemistry, said: "It is a great honour to have been awarded the Royal Society Ken Murray Research Professorship.

“This award will allow me to work on challenging targets in glyco-science; studying the complex roles carbohydrates play in human health and disease.

“I hope to inspire a new generation of chemical biologists to tackle the scientific challenges where chemistry can aid discovery in the biological sciences."

Most distinguished

Scientists from the Universities of Glasgow, Cambridge, Manchester, and University College London have also be honoured by the Society.

John Skehel, Biological secretary and a Vice President of the Royal Society, said: “The scientists awarded the 2016 Research Professorships are amongst the world’s most distinguished.

“All six have already made outstanding contributions to science and society and we hope that the professorships will support their current projects, as well as opening up new opportunities to enable them to continue their exceptional work.”  

For more information about the Royal Society Research Professorship, please visit: https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/research-professorship/