Ivo Starý Awarded the Praemium Academiae

The First Vice-President of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, Ivo Starý from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), has been awarded this year's Praemium Academiae — a prestigious grant from the Czech Academy of Sciences providing up to CZK 30 million over the next six years.

Ivo Starý. Photo by Jakub Stadler

At IOCB, Ivo Starý leads the Chemistry of Functional Molecules Group, which focuses on the synthesis of helically chiral aromatics (helicenes) that are enantiopure and properly functionalized. The ultimate goal of this research is to construct "smart" molecular devices with potential applications in medicine and other fields that require materials with precisely defined and controllable  molecular properties.  

In addition to Ivo Starý, this year's Praemium Academiae was also awarded to Petr Pravec from the Astronomical Institute and Pavel Krejčí from the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics.  

"This is both a financial and symbolic recognition of our laureates' scientific excellence," said Eva Zažímalová, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences. "They truly are the best of the best, and their work significantly advances science and the capabilities of Czech society as a whole."