UCC's Professor Melissa Hanna-Brown among Royal Society of Chemistry prize winners

18 Jun 2026

Professor Melissa Hanna-Brown, School of Chemistry, University College Cork (UCC) has been honoured with a prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry  (RSC) Prize as part of the Separation Science Group of the RSC. 

The RSC Separation Science Group committee has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and sustained commitment in establishing Solutions in Science (SinS) as a major interdisciplinary conference for the analytical sciences.

The group is the largest to serve the separation science community in the UK and Ireland, providing authoritative information, promoting new developments and best practice, organising national and international meetings, supporting students and early career researchers through bursaries and presentation prizes, and recognising outstanding achievement in the field. 

This work reflects the wider aims of the Separation Science Group to advance knowledge, foster best practice, support researchers at all career stages and strengthen the UK analytical community. Such support is critically needed if the UK is to remain competitive in the separation sciences, a field that underpins sectors from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to food safety, advanced manufacturing and environmental protection. 

On receiving the prize, Professor John Langley, Chair of the SinS conference series, said: “Our committees, past and present, explored how best to support the separation science and wider analytical community. After years of running successful joint one day meetings with interest groups and sister societies, we saw a real opportunity: bringing these activities together into a single event to help reduce pressure on an already crowded scientific calendar.

We are delighted to have been recognised with this award for creating a unique space for cross disciplinary discussion, collaboration, and networking across the analytical sciences. Especially important was an environment for academic and industry researchers to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of the field. We felt SinS was particularly important for ECRs and there was a positive drive to produce a balanced, fresh new programme of presenters. 

“Building from what we learned from the highly successful edition of HTC in Cardiff in 2018 we focused on the scientific programme networking, and worked with a PCO, ILM Exhibitions, who provided the venue, exhibition and meeting administration.”. 

The Inspirational Committee Award is one of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Volunteer Recognition Prizes, given in celebration of RSC members who support and inspire others within the community. 

Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said, “Volunteers are vital to the work of the RSC. Whether it’s sitting on our boards and committees, running outreach events, or supporting other members of the community, they’re at the heart of everything we do. Thanks to our volunteers, we are able to make a real difference to aspiring chemists and established scientists alike. 

“I extend my warmest congratulations to Separation Science Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Winning an RSC Prize is a remarkable achievement. You join the ranks of a star-studded roster stretching back over 150 years, including several dozen who went on to win Nobel Prizes. Our winners are exceptional role models for our communities, and we’re so pleased to be celebrating such an extraordinary cohort this year.” 

Professor Anita Maguire, Head of UCC's School of Chemistry said: "Congratulations to Melissa and all of the committee on this prestigious award - we are delighted to see your work recognised by the RSC". 

The full suite of RSC Prizes comprises Volunteer Recognition Prizes, Research & Innovation Prizes, Education Prizes (announced in November), the Inclusion & Diversity Prize, and the Horizon Prizes – team prizes given to scientific collaborations innovating and conducting cutting edge research at the frontiers of chemistry. 

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