Inaugural winner of Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Prize

08 August 2012 Greenwich, University of

A student from the University of Greenwich at Medway is the first winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Prize for the best postgraduate research.

Dr Christine Baltus’s research in organic chemistry focuses on synthesising ‘drug-like’ molecules for use in medicinal chemistry, herbicides, fungicides, liquid crystals and even electric wires. Her PhD was written in collaboration with a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novartis UK. Christine received her prize at the University of Greenwich’s awards ceremony held in Rochester Cathedral last week.

Christine, who is from Seine et Marne in northern France, says: “I am delighted and honoured to be the first winner of this prize. I really enjoyed my research. The support and encouragement I received from my supervisors was superb. Collaborating with Novartis gave me a valuable insight into how my research can assist with the development of new drug compounds.”

Professor Alan Reed, Director of Postgraduate Research at the university, adds: “We are very pleased that the Vice-Chancellor has created this new annual prize to recognise the excellence demonstrated by students working towards the university’s highest academic award. Christine’s examiners said that her work was of the best quality. She is a worthy winner of the inaugural prize, and we all wish her well in her future career.”

A PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy, sometimes referred to as a ‘doctorate’. It is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve.

http://www2.gre.ac.uk/about/news/articles/2012/a2297-christine