Karl Scheidt Named Klotz Research Professor In Chemistry

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Karl A. Scheidt, associate professor of chemistry in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University, has been named the Irving M. Klotz Research Professor in Chemistry.

Scheidt's research focuses on the development of new chemical reactions and the synthesis of molecules with important biological and structural attributes. His recent discoveries using carbene catalysis have made him a leader of this new field that aims to use small organic molecules as catalysts.

Since coming to Northwestern in 2002, Scheidt has invented numerous "metal-free" chemical reactions that will increase the sustainability of pharmaceutical chemistry by minimizing its environmental impact. By employing innovative approaches inspired by nature, he and his research group have also made contributions in the areas of organosilicon chemistry and the synthesis of valuable nitrogen-containing compounds.

In addition to discovering new reactions, Scheidt is developing innovative strategies for cancer treatment and prevention based on anticancer compounds isolated from nature. He and his collaborators are currently using tailor-made small molecules to disrupt tumor cell movement. This approach could potentially lead to new ways to prevent cancer's spreading throughout the body.

Scheidt's accomplishments have been widely recognized by the pharmaceutical industry with young investigator awards from Abbott Laboratories, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and 3M.

He has published more than 50 papers in prominent professional journals in chemistry and has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship.

In 2005 Scheidt received a Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Teaching Award and was named to Northwestern's Associated Student Government Faculty Honor Roll.