Newswise — Mukund P. Sibi, a James A. Meier professor of chemistry and molecular biology at North Dakota State University, Fargo, will receive a 2008 Arthur S. Cope Scholar Award, considered to be a top honor in organic chemistry. The Cope Scholar Award, issued by the American Chemical Society (ACS), recognizes scientists from across the globe who have distinguished themselves in the broad field of organic chemistry. Through the Cope Scholar Award, Dr. Sibi will receive a $5,000 certificate and a $40,000 unrestricted research grant. He also will deliver an invited talk on his research and be recognized at a special ceremony in April 2008 at the ACS National Meeting in New Orleans, La.
"Dr. Sibi's achievement and distinguished role in the field of organic chemistry is remarkable," said NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman. "NDSU is honored to have faculty like Dr. Sibi guiding us along the journey that has brought us to the next level of excellence."
"The Cope Scholar Awards are considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the field of chemistry and this award reflects the significant contributions Dr. Sibi makes to his field of study," said Dr. Philip Boudjouk, vice president for research, creative activities and technology transfer.
The dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at NDSU, Kevin McCaul, also noted the honor. "Dr. Sibi is clearly a superb researcher, and he is also a wonderful teacher, whether in a formal classroom setting or working with his students in the lab. Those qualities go well together, and we are delighted that the ACS has selected Dr. Sibi for this international recognition."
Dr. Sibi has made outstanding contributions to several important areas of organic chemistry. He is one of the pioneers in the development of enantioselective radical chemistry. His research group continues to be engaged in chiral catalysis, enabling the preparation of small organic molecules important for medicinal chemistry. Recently, his research group has made conceptual advances in the control of the orientation of molecular bonds and practical ways to enhance stereoselectivity in important organic transformations. "This is indeed a big honor," said Dr. Sibi. "I am very happy that our chemistry department has received this recognition. Like any research endeavor, it is a team effort, and credit is also due to a talented group of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students who I have had the privilege to work with over the years."
Dr. Sibi leads the NDSU Center for Protease Research, a multidisciplinary research center whose aim is to help combat diseases including arthritis, diabetes and cancer. His research group recently was awarded a $10.5 million competitive grant from the National Institutes of Health. Led by Dr. Sibi, the group has developed novel methods for the preparation of succinates, a common structural motif found in known matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibitors. The MMPs belong to a class of enzymes called proteases (pro' tee azez) that degrade proteins by cutting them into small pieces. Too much or too little MMP activities can contribute to diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. Controlling enzyme activity by using pharmaceuticals is seen as a potential strategy for treating the diseases.
Dr. Sibi received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Bangalore University, India, and his Ph.D. from City University of New York. He completed postdoctoral work at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and Florida State University. He is the author of more than 150 publications and holds eight patents.
About ACSThe Arthur C. Cope Scholar awards were established in 1984 by the ACS Board of Directors, on recommendation from the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry, under the terms of the will of Arthur C. Cope. Ten award recipients are named annually. Founded in 1876, the American Chemical Society is the world's largest scientific society dedicated to a single discipline, with more than 160,000 members. http://www.chemistry.org
About NDSUWith a reputation for excellence in teaching and multidisciplinary research, North Dakota State University, Fargo, links academics to real world opportunities. The Scientist magazine placed NDSU among the top 35 research institutions in North America for individuals pursuing postdoctoral positions. As a metropolitan land grant institution with more than 12,000 students, NDSU is listed in the top 100 of several National Science Foundation annual research expenditure rankings in the areas of chemistry, physical sciences, and science and engineering. NDSU encompasses a broad spectrum of curricular offerings, scholarly activity and service. NDSU offers 106 baccalaureate majors, 51 master's degree programs, 38 doctoral degrees, eight certificate programs, three professional doctoral degrees and one specialist degree. http://www.ndsu.edu
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