Professor Receives American Institute of Chemists’ Highest Award
The American Institute of Chemists and the Chemical Heritage
Foundation have presented Professor Ralph Hirschmann with
the 2003 AIC Gold Medal. The award, presented in June at
CHF’s Heritage Day celebration, is the highest honor
bestowed by the American Institute of Chemists. Hirschmann
was recognized for his talent, skills, and insight in the
field pharmaceutical research.
Hirschmann, the Rao Makineni Term Professor of Chemistry, came to Penn in 1987 after a 37-year career at Merck & Co., where he was head of basic research. An internationally renowned scientist, he has written more than 160 papers and holds 100 patents. His early work at Merck led to the discovery of stereoselective control of chemical transformations, an important concept in organic chemistry. He may be best known for having co-directed the first total synthesis of an enzyme (ribonuclease S) in solution. During his tenure at Merck, his team also discovered and/or developed several major drugs. He has received several other prestigious awards for his work, including the National Medal of Science.