The Kavli Foundation President Cynthia M. Friend receives prestigious Cotton Medal

by The Kavli Foundation

Recognizing scientists for excellence in chemical research

Gold activated by oxygen for synthesis Schematic mechanism for dimethylformamide synthesis from methanol coupling with dimethyl amine via a (CH3)2N intermediate on Au. Image source: Friend Lab

The Author

The Kavli Foundation

In recognition of her research accomplishments in surface chemistry and catalysis, The Kavli Foundation President Cynthia Friend, Ph.D., receives the F. A. Cotton Medal for Excellence in Chemical Research. The medal is jointly awarded each year by the Texas A&M Department of Chemistry and the Texas A&M Section of the American Chemical Society in tribute to Dr. Albert Cotton, a Texas A&M distinguished professor of chemistry widely considered one of the world’s foremost inorganic chemists. He was the inaugural recipient of the medal in 1995.

“It is truly an honor to be selected as the recipient of the Cotton Medal that honors a great inorganic chemistry and teacher. I am humbled by the award,” remarked Friend.
Dr. Cynthia Friend

Dr. Friend is the 27th recipient of the medal, joining other luminaries such as George Whitesides at Harvard University (2011), Jennifer Dounda at UC Berkeley (2017) and Paul Alivisatos (2019) while at UC Berkeley and who is now president of the University of Chicago. She will be honored on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the Stephen W. Hawking Auditorium on the Texas A&M campus.

“It is fantastic to see Cyndy recognized with the Cotton Medal for her work in surface chemistry and catalysis. Al Cotton was always a huge supporter of physical chemistry, and as one of the foremost surface scientists in the world, Cyndy is so deserving of this award. Having been a postdoctoral fellow with her, I can attest that she is not only an exceptional scientist, but also a wonderful teacher and mentor.” – Dr. James D. Batteas, Texas A&M chemist.