Latest News
International recognition awarded to leading UCC organic chemist
Professor Anita Maguire, a synthetic organic chemist at University College Cork, is the recipient of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2025 Bader Prize for Organic Chemistry.
The Bader Prize for Organic Chemistry is an award in the annual RSC Research & Innovation Prizes, which recognises international excellence in organic chemistry and eminence in organic chemistry which has not previously been rewarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Professor Maguire receives the award for her outstanding contributions to organic and pharmaceutical chemistry, and for the development of a diverse range of synthetic organic methodologies and protocols, and their applications to medicinal chemistry.
Professor Maguire is currently Head of the School of Chemistry at University College Cork, and Director of UCC Futures – Future Pharmaceuticals, having completed two terms as Vice President for Research & Innovation (2011-2021). She is a Co-PI in SSPC, The Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals. She was appointed as the inaugural holder of the Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2004, a joint appointment across the School of Chemistry and the School of Pharmacy.
Following studies at UCC (BSc Chemistry 1985, PhD 1989), and postdoctoral research in Namur, Belgium, and then at the University of Exeter, UK, Anita returned to Cork in 1991 to establish an independent research team focusing on synthetic organic chemistry, initially as a Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, progressing to Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2002. Her research interests include development of new synthetic methodology, use of continuous flow, asymmetric catalysis, and the design and synthesis of bioactive compounds. Key advances from her team include enantioselective copper catalysed C-H insertion and aromatic addition reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds. 60 PhD students, 9 MSc and 47 postdocs have graduated from her team, many of whom have progressed to careers in the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland and internationally.
Anita was the inaugural Chair of the National Forum on Research Integrity in Ireland established in 2015 until the end of 2024. Her international activities include Chairing the ERC Advanced Grants Evaluation panel PE5 – Synthetic Chemistry & Materials (2019 to date, chair from 2023), membership of the International Advisory Board, EPSRC CDT React, Imperial College London (from 2019), and as an Adjunct Professor in the University of Bergen (2011-16).
She was elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) in 2014, Vice President of the Royal Irish Academy for 2019-22 and chaired the Diversity Committee of the RIA from 2019-2023. She was appointed as Vice-President, Institute of Chemistry of Ireland for 2025-27 and is anticipated to step up as President from 2027.
Commenting on her award, Professor Maguire said: "I am delighted to receive this award which recognises the excellent research discoveries and advances made by many PhD students and early career researchers in our research team over the years. Working with so many creative and talented researchers across diverse aspects of synthetic organic chemistry has been the highlight of my career to date."
The annual RSC Research & Innovation Prizes recognise brilliant chemical scientists carrying out amazing work in academia and industry. They include prizes for those at different career stages in chemistry and for those working in specific fields, as well as interdisciplinary prizes and prizes for those in specific roles.
Professor Sarah Culloty, Head, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science commented: "We are immensely proud of Professor Maguire for receiving this prestigious award to mark her outstanding achievements in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. This recognition is a real testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to advancing scientific excellence."
Professor John Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation said: "The award is deserved recognition for the major contributions Professor Maguire has made to organic chemistry research throughout her career. Anita has been a champion for research integrity in Ireland, and as Director of UCC Futures – Future Pharmaceuticals, she continues to be a driver in training the next generation of researchers and advancing knowledge in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry which underpins discovery, development, and manufacturing."