PhD Student Tom Ball Wins Poster Prize at RSC Organic Chemistry Meeting 2025
Tom Ball, a third-year PhD student in the Bower Group, has been awarded first prize for his poster presentation at the RSC Organic Chemistry Community Midlands Regional Meeting 2025, held at the University of Nottingham on Thursday 24 April.
Tom presented his poster, titled "Towards the Total Synthesis of the Veratrum Alkaloids", which showcased his research in the field of total synthesis — a branch of organic chemistry focused on constructing complex natural products, many of which have pharmaceutical applications or notable structural features.
The Midlands Regional Meeting, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry's Organic Chemistry Community, brought together researchers to showcase the latest advances in synthetic, chemical biology, and medicinal chemistry. The event featured a poster session for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career scientists, with prizes awarded for outstanding contributions.
Reflecting on the event, Tom said:
‘Attending the RSC Midlands Meeting was a great opportunity to learn about the interesting chemistry currently being explored in the region and to speak to those involved. I was honoured to be given first prize for my poster and was very grateful for everyone who stopped by to have a chat about my work. I had an excellent time and look forward to the next one.’
Tom’s achievement highlights the quality of research being conducted within the Department of Chemistry and the strength of the University’s contribution to cutting-edge organic chemistry.
Congratulations to Tom on this fantastic achievement!