On August 28th, ICReDD PI and Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Director, Hokkaido University Professor Benjamin List donated a replica of the Nobel Prize Medal.
Up to three official replica medals are awarded by the Nobel Foundation to Nobel laureates, and one of which was presented to Hokkaido University.
Prof. List, Nobel laureate in Chemistry in 2021, has participated to ICReDD since its establishment in 2018 and has pursued development of chemical reactions by fusing computation science, information science and experimental science. The ICReDD’s slogan “Revolutionize Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery” is the brainchild of Prof. List.
Prof. List was bestowed the honorable title of “Hokkaido University Professor” in 2022, then the new project “List Sustainable Digital Transformation (DX) Catalyst Collaboration Research Platform (List PF)” which aims to advance the development of next-generation organocatalysts has started since April, 2023.
Prof. List had the intention of donating one of the replicas to Hokkaido University as a gesture of camaraderie with ICReDD members and gratitude for the prestigious title “Hokkaido University Professor”. He considers Hokkaido University as his “second academic home”. The donation of Nobel Medal replica expresses such appreciation. Moreover, his autograph with a message of “Follow your enthusiasm” to the younger generations was presented. Prof. List would like the medal replica to be widely seen by the public. It will be displayed at the Hokkaido University Museum once the exhibition area is ready.