The Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research was established by the Foundation to honor Norman Hackerman, its Scientific Advisory Board chair from 1982 to 2006. The award recognizes the accomplishments of chemical scientists in Texas who are early in their careers. It is designed to encourage scientists who are embarking on careers dedicated to increasing our fundamental understanding of chemistry.
Norman Hackerman Award In Chemical Research
2021 Norman Hackerman Award Recipient
Dr. Ilya J. Finkelstein
The University of Texas at Austin
The Welch Foundation Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research furthers chemical discovery in Texas each year by recognizing emerging leaders. The Welch Foundation proudly bestows the 2021 award upon Dr. Ilya J. Finkelstein.
An Associate Professor in the Molecular Biosciences Department at The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Finkelstein is well regarded for his innovative methods to understand how cells repair their DNA and maintain integrity of genetic information. Dr. Finkelstein and his team have merged next-generation DNA sequencing with molecular biophysics to characterize and improve emerging gene-editing tools, known as RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas enzymes. By unraveling their molecular functions, he hopes to improve the efficacy and safety of gene editing.
Most recently, Dr. Finkelstein shifted his team’s focus and developed a critical reagent for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. His group, in collaboration with two other University of Texas labs, worked tirelessly to optimize the production of the viral spike protein, a critical component of some COVID-19 vaccine formulations. Dr. Finkelstein is also on a team of UT faculty who have been working with clinicians in Houston to understand how COVID-19 is mutating by reviewing blood plasma of 5,000 patients.
The Hackerman Award provides Dr. Finkelstein with a personal award of $100,000.
The Norman Hackerman Award
The Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research was established by the Foundation to honor Norman Hackerman, its Scientific Advisory Board chair from 1982 to 2006. The award recognizes the accomplishments of chemical scientists in Texas who are early in their careers. It is designed to encourage scientists who are embarking on careers dedicated to increasing our fundamental understanding of chemistry.
The Scientific Advisory Board will consider whether or not any nominee or nominees are worthy of the award, and will recommend to the Board of Directors not more than three nominees they determine are qualified to receive the award. The Board of Directors will make the final selection.
The award will normally be presented at a function on the campus of the recipient’s institution. The current monetary amount of the award is $100,000.
Please refer to the guidelines for eligibility requirements and nomination procedures.