Helen Tran recognized with 2021 Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence
Published: December 16, 2021
For her pioneering work in organic polymer chemistry, Helen Tran has been recognized with a 2021 Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence.
The award was established in 2016 by University Professor Molly Shoichet in honour of her late mother.
“Professor Tran’s creative use of polymer chemistry, machine learning and computer-assisted design is revolutionizing our understanding of how to generate multifunctional materials and is paving the way for the development of new health and sustainability technologies of the future,” says Vince Tropepe, a professor in the department of cell and systems biology and the Faculty of Arts & Science’s vice dean, research.
An assistant professor in the department of chemistry, Tran is cross-appointed to the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry.
“I am incredibly honoured to receive this award, which will accelerate my research program during a critical point in my career,” says Tran. “I admire Professor Shoichet's altruistic initiative to create such a meaningful award to support younger faculty in the sciences.”
Robert Batey, chair of the department of chemistry, says Tran has “unparalleled enthusiasm and passion for science” and for training and teaching junior scientists.
“Her bold and highly creative research program, securely underpinned by her early success record and enabled by her interdisciplinary training, is unique and will surely propel her to make significant discoveries in the polymer science field,” Batey says. “Helen is perfectly positioned to use this prestigious award as a key career accelerator, and I am confident she will also serve as an ideal ambassador to honour Dorothy Shoichet and inspire the next generation of women faculty in science, particularly in chemistry.”
