The F.A. Cotton Medal for Excellence in Chemical Research was established in 1994 by the Texas A&M Section of the American Chemical Society and the Chemistry Department of Texas A&M University. First awarded on March 31, 1995, to Frank Albert Cotton, the medal is supported by an initial endowment of over $100,000. The funds were raised, in conjunction with Contemporary Inorganic Chemistry: A Symposium in Honor of F.A. Cotton, by the late Carlos A. Murillo, a long-time friend and co-worker. The F.A. Cotton Medal for Excellence in Chemical Research is awarded annually and recognizes accomplishments in research rather than distinction of any other sort, no matter how meritorious. The award is not restricted by gender, country or branch of chemistry.
2026 F.A. Cotton Medal Program
2026 F.A. Cotton Medalist
Sheldon Emery Professir of Chemistry
Harvard University
Symposium Schedule
Friday, April 24, 2026
Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building (ILSB) Auditorium | Texas A&M University
| 1:15 p.m. | Poster Session |
| 1:45 p.m. |
Opening Remarks Andy Thomas |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Selective Synthesis using Light and Electricity
Zachary Wickens
University of Wisconsin-Madison
|
| 3:00 p.m. |
Natural Products as Inspiration for Chemical Synthesis and Beyond
Noah Burns
Stanford University
|
| 4:00 p.m. | Coffee Break and Poster Session |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Studies in Selective Catalysis
Eric Jacobsen
Harvard University
|
Medal Presentation
| 6:30 p.m. | Reception |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Dinner |
| 8:00 p.m. |
Presentation of F.A. Cotton Medal
Andy Thomas
Councilor, Texas A&M Local Section of the American Chemical Society
|
|
Closing Remarks Eric Jacobsen |