The Mander Best PhD Thesis in Organic Chemistry Award recognizes the best PhD thesis submitted in the previous two years in the field of organic chemistry. This award is for outstanding achievement and communication in organic chemistry. The recipient will receive a cash prize of $1000, generously provided by Davies Collison Cave.

The recipient of the inaugural Mander Best PhD Thesis Award for 2015 is Dr Christopher Newton.

Dr Newton conducted his PhD studies under the supervision of Professor Michael Sherburn at the Australian National University. His thesis describes research on the synthesis of fundamental hydrocarbons and their application to the efficient total synthesis of natural products. The work has been described by thesis examiners as ‘outstanding’, ‘truly original’ and ‘of the highest standard’.  The selection committee were impressed by the depth and scope of the work contained in the thesis and the publications that have arisen from it in the highest quality chemistry journals.

Dr John Tsanaktsidis
Chair