Chemistry student wins prestigious 2016 Salter’s Graduate Prize

Daniel Price, a final year Medicinal Chemistry student, has been awarded the prestigious Salter's Graduate Prize, one of only ten presented nationally.

Every year The Salter’s Institute awards a maximum of 10 national prizes to final year undergraduates studying at UK Universities. The prizes are awarded on the basis of assessments of the potential of candidates ultimately to occupy leading positions in public life, either by employment in Chemical or related industries, or more generally in employment that supports the industrial life of the UK.  

Candidates were expected to demonstrate knowledge of the current issues faced by the Chemical industries and the need for changing technology in the future.

The highest achieving students in the year were invited to apply to be selected as the Head of School’s nomination, following a rigorous interview Daniel was selected.

Professor Steve Marsden, Head of School said:
“The School is enormously proud of Dan’s achievement.  The Salters’ Graduate Prizes are extremely prestigious, with only four or five awards being made nationally per year in chemistry.  Winners are selected for their potential to go on to hold leading positions within or in support of the UK chemical industries.  As such the panel looks not only at academic excellence within the subject but also the ability to generate and communicate ideas, and leadership potential.  Following a very competitive selection process within the School, Dan was chosen as the School’s outstanding nominee and we are delighted that his performance has similarly impressed the judging panel at the Salters’ Institute.”

Daniel told us:
"Given that I planned to enter industry from the beginning of my degree, it was an honour to be selected to receive the Salters' graduate prize.

Being shortlisted allowed me to represent myself and Leeds on a national level, and granted me the opportunity to meet and network with some of the leading figures in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

The process has increased my exposure and awareness of the key issues facing the pharmaceutical industry and has increased my desire to enter industry to help combat and solve some of the big issues of today.

Fortunately, my PhD is based 100% in industry, so I plan to hit the ground running and work towards the ultimate expectation of the Salters' award from October: significant and lasting contribution to the chemical industry, wish me luck!"

Congratulations and well done Dan!