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On August 26, two esteemed academicians were honored with the top awards at the recent Shanghai Science and Technology Awards for their groundbreaking work in seismic structural engineering and organic synthesis.
One recipient, aged 70, was recognized for pioneering advances in earthquake and wind resistance for skyscrapers, while the other, aged 61, received commendation for significant progress in organic chemical synthesis. These distinctions were announced as part of the 2024 award results. The highest honor, known as the Science and Technology Meritorious Figure Award, is awarded annually for outstanding contributions.
An official from the Shanghai Science and Technology Awards emphasized that these winners embody the competition’s focus on foundational theoretical research, innovative scientific development, and practical industrial applications. Their accomplishments set vital standards within their respective disciplines.
The projects recognized showcase Shanghai’s dedication to fundamental research and recent breakthroughs in scientific theory. The official noted that such achievements are poised to bolster the city’s influence on the global scientific stage.
Ma Dawei, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, expressed that “Those involved in basic research should foster communication across disciplines and with industry professionals. It is through these collaborations that real scientific challenges emerge and can then be addressed.”
Ma’s team developed two generations of catalysts, which notably enhanced the efficiency of a chemical process widely used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. They managed to reduce the Ullmann reaction’s temperature from over 200°C to just 80°C, cut copper consumption by 99%, and increase reaction speed by 35%, resulting in a five to tenfold boost in output yield.
Their innovations have been adopted by pharmaceutical companies worldwide for producing medications for hypertension and influenza. Additionally, their work enabled the large-scale production of Trabectedin, one of the most complex chemotherapy drugs. The process improvements have been so impactful that some scholars refer to the enhanced method as the Ullmann–Ma reaction.
Beyond the main award, the Shanghai Science and Technology Awards also recognized ten young scientists for their exceptional contributions. A total of 56 projects received natural science prizes, 30 involved technological inventions, 97 celebrated scientific progress, and eight achievements in science popularization were honored. Additionally, three international experts in Shanghai received awards for their global collaborative efforts.
Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine
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