Jamie Ferguson Chemistry Innovation Award
Oxford University Innovation (OUI), as well as the University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials are delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Jamie Ferguson Innovation Awards, which celebrate innovative and impactful ideas emerging from students in the Departments.
The awards were created to honour the memory of Jamie Ferguson, a much-loved colleague at OUI and a friend to Chemistry, who sadly lost his life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The winners this year present a wide array of innovative concepts, highlighting exceptional creativity and inventiveness. Winners each receive a £500 cash prize, a trophy in recognition of their achievement, and support from Oxford University Innovation to advance their idea towards commercial success.
The winners of the Jamie Ferguson Innovation Awards are:
Maya Landis: Hydro-green-ation: Towards cleaner hydrogen use in chemical synthesis. This focuses on developing methods to use hydrogen more efficiently and sustainably in chemical manufacturing processes.
Rebecca Latter: An agrochemical promoting flood resilience – for when crops are out of their depth. This aims to enhance the ability of crops to withstand flooding through innovative agricultural chemical solutions
Alexander Evans: Leading the Charge: Revolutionising Battery Safety and Efficiency with Next Generation Materials. Alexander is pioneering new materials to make batteries safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient, thus advancing the field of energy storage technology.
Jorin Riexinger: A 3D-printed therapeutic platform, which utilises 3D printing technology to create innovative medical platforms for delivering personalised treatments and improving patient care.
Cath Spence, one of the judges from OUI, said: “It has been an honour to again judge this year’s Jamie Ferguson Innovation Awards and witness the remarkable ingenuity of the participants. The winning projects, from sustainable hydrogen use to flood-resilient agrochemicals and advancements in battery safety, are not only groundbreaking but also have the potential to create real-world impact.
“We are excited to support these innovators as they take their ideas from concept to commercial reality.”
Mairi Gibbs, Oxford University Innovation CEO, said: “OUI is very proud to celebrate the innovative achievements of this year’s winners of the Jamie Ferguson Innovation Awards. Each of these projects demonstrates the impact potential of Oxford research and showcases the incredible talent and dedication of our community.
“Jamie’s legacy of creativity and passion for science continues to inspire us, and these awards are a testament to his enduring impact on Oxford University Innovation and the Department of Chemistry.”
Applications for the 2025 Awards will open in Spring 2025 – watch this space for further details.
