University Times

Peter Wipf, Pitt assistant professor of chemistry, has been named a Presidential Faculty Fellow by President Clinton. The honor carries with it a $500,000, five-year research grant from the National Science Foundation.

Wipf is one of 30 scientists and engineers across the country to receive the award, which is given annually to young faculty who show exceptional promise in scientific and engineering research, and in teaching, at the college or university level. He is the first Pitt faculty member to receive the award since President Clinton instituted it two years ago.

"This award is not only a personal honor and encouragement, it reflects the dedicated effort of all the past and present members of my research group here at the University of Pittsburgh. It is also an acknowledgment of the value of organic synthesis for today's society," said Wipf.

The NSF grant will allow Wipf to pursue his own research interests. To date, his research has focused on synthesizing naturally occurring molecules, the majority of which have potential in anti-viral and anti-cancer applications.

Wipf received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Zurich in 1987 and joined Pitt in 1990. He teaches organic chemistry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Prior to receiving the Presidential Faculty Fellow award, earlier this year he also received an American Cyanamid Junior Faculty Award, the Ruziczka Prize from Switzerland, and a Sloan Fellowship, all in recognition of his laboratory research.