Winner: 2025 Organic 九州影院 mid-career prize: Robert Robinson Prize
Professor Igor Larrosa
University of Manchester
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2025 Robert Robinson Prize: awarded for contributions to organic chemistry in the area of ruthenium-catalysed C-C bond formation.
Professor Larrosa鈥檚 research group investigates the development of catalytic processes that enable chemists in industry and academia to synthesize valuable molecules in a more straightforward and sustainable fashion. The main approach in the group involves the application of analytical tools to the detailed study of the modes of operation of transition metal catalysts, and then using this new knowledge to develop more powerful and efficient catalysts.
Biography
Igor graduated from the University of Barcelona where he also completed a PhD in organic chemistry under the supervision of Professors F猫lix Urp铆 and Pedro Romea. A fellowship from Ministerio de Educaci贸n y Ciencia supported three month's research in Professor Erick M Carreira's laboratories at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. With a second fellowship, he moved to Professor Anthony G M Barrett's group at Imperial College London, UK, to carry out postdoctoral research on the synthesis of natural products.
In 2007, he started his independent career as a lecturer in synthetic organic chemistry at Queen Mary University of London. In 2014, Igor was appointed to the position of professor of organic chemistry at the University of Manchester. His research interests include homogeneous catalysis, organometallic chemistry, mechanistic investigation and artificial intelligence.
Igor received an ERC Starting Grant in 2011 and currently holds an ERC Advanced Grant.
The most rewarding moments often come through collaborative discussions with students and colleagues, working together to unravel a new puzzle or rethink a familiar process from a fresh angle.
Professor Igor Larrosa
Q&A with Professor Igor Larrosa
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
My interest in chemistry began at a young age, sparked by the classic chemistry kit I received as a child. As I grew older, I became increasingly fascinated by the profound role chemistry plays in shaping the world around us 鈥� from the molecules of life to the materials and medicines we rely on. This curiosity evolved into a desire not just to understand how things work at a molecular level, but also to push the boundaries by creating entirely new molecules that had never existed before.
What motivates you?
What motivates me on a day-to-day basis is, without a doubt, the problem-solving nature of our work. I find real excitement in the challenge of interpreting new data, piecing together how a system behaves, and continually refining, or even completely changing, our understanding. The most rewarding moments often come through collaborative discussions with students and colleagues, working together to unravel a new puzzle or rethink a familiar process from a fresh angle.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
I would say 鈥榞o for it!鈥�. Studying chemistry gives you the tools to understand and shape the world at a fundamental level. Whether your interests lie in theory or hands-on application, chemistry offers a path that can match your curiosity. It is also a discipline with enormous relevance: in the years ahead, chemistry will be central to making human societies more sustainable and reducing our impact on the planet. There has never been a more important or exciting time to get involved.
Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?
The development everyone is talking about, and rightly so, is artificial intelligence. Its potential to transform scientific research is immense, offering new ways to accelerate discovery and tackle some of the most complex questions we face. In chemistry, AI is already showing remarkable promise: from uncovering reaction mechanisms and predicting molecular properties, to guiding experimental design and exploring vast chemical spaces. It is an exciting time to be part of a field where such powerful tools are rapidly expanding what is possible.