AN award has been launched to commemorate the life and work of one of Ireland's most distinguished scientists.
The Almac McKervey Award for Excellence in Organic Chemistry will be awarded to a Queen's University Belfast student in memory of Professor Tony McKervey.
A former Professor of Organic Chemistry at both University College Cork and Queen's, he founded Almac's Sciences Business Unit in 1992 and continued to support Almac as a member of the senior management team until his death in June 2017 at the age of 78.
He was an esteemed academic and an industry expert, having received the Astra Award of the Royal Dublin Society in 1986 and the Boyle-Higgins Gold Medal of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland in 1993.
The award is open to those studying chemistry or medicinal chemistry at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen's.
It will be presented to a student selected on the basis of academic achievement and performance at an interview with Almac's chemistry experts. The winner will receive a £1,500 bursary towards tuition fees, as well as a paid 12 month placement with Almac to gain industry experience and mentorship.
"We chose to name an award after our esteemed colleague and friend, Tony, as a fitting tribute to someone whose leadership, exemplary work ethic and kind demeanour inspired many of us during his many years of service with Almac," said Stephen Barr, Managing Director of Almac Sciences.
"His academic and industrial career has made a considerable impact on many who studied and worked for, and with him, across the world."
