Purdue Chemistry's Ming-Yu Ngai recognized with Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award

2026-03-16

Ming-Yu Ngai, professor in the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Department of Chemistry at Purdue University, has been selected to receive the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award, a prestigious international honor presented by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation presents approximately 20 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awards annually to internationally renowned academics from abroad in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in research. The award, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is named for German astronomer and mathematician Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel.

The award carries funding of 60,000 euros and supports an extended research stay in Germany of up to one year, which may be divided into multiple visits. Ngai plans to spend at least six months in Europe over the coming years, working closely with collaborators on new research directions, mentoring students and researchers and advancing international scientific exchange. "One particularly exciting opportunity is the ability to immerse myself in a different research environment while building long-term, sustainable collaborations," he said.

Ngai, who joined Purdue University in 2023, described the recognition as a meaningful affirmation of his research program, which aims to “turn light into medicine” by developing new photochemical reactions that enable the precise editing of complex molecules. "Receiving this award is deeply meaningful to me. It is a strong affirmation that the scientific questions my group is pursuing, particularly our efforts to develop new chemical reactions that harness renewable sunlight to build and modify complex molecular structures, are resonating internationally. It also reinforces the importance of curiosity-driven research that connects fundamental chemistry with long-term applications in areas such as drug discovery and molecular innovation."

Ngai credited both his research team and his collaborators in Germany for making the honor possible. "This award recognizes not only the significance of our research but also the dedication and creativity of my students and postdoctoral researchers, whose hard work and persistence drive our science forward every day," he said. "I am sincerely grateful to my nominators and to my host, Professor Oliver Reiser in Germany, for their generosity, mentorship and support throughout the nomination process. Their encouragement and collaboration have been instrumental, and I look forward to deepening our scientific partnership through this opportunity."

About Purdue Chemistry

The James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry is internationally acclaimed for its excellence in chemical education and innovation, boasting two Nobel laureates in organic chemistry, the #1 ranked analytical chemistry program, and a highly successful drug discovery initiative that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties. Learn more about chem.purdue.edu.

Written by: Alison Harmeson, senior communications specialist for the Purdue University College of Science

Contributors: Ming-Yu Ngai, professor in the Department of Chemistry. Photo provided by Ming-Yu Ngai.