About the Chris McGuigan Drug Discovery Awards

The Chris McGuigan Drug Discovery Awards celebrate Professor Chris McGuigan's legacy of excellence and innovation in drug discovery science at Cardiff University.

The Chris McGuigan Drug Discovery Awards comprise of three biennial awards. These will be presented at the Chris McGuigan Symposium which will be held each September in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027.

The McGuigan Outstanding PhD Thesis Award

An award of £1,000 to recognise the best thesis in drug discovery related research by a Cardiff University doctoral graduate.

The PhD should have been successfully awarded no earlier than 24 months before the nomination deadline.

The McGuigan U35 Drug Discovery Star Award

An award of £4,000 is given to an early career researcher (under 35) who has made a significant, original and internationally recognised impact in drug discovery sciences.

Nominees should hold an appointment at a university at the time of nomination.

The McGuigan Award for Distinguished Work in Drug Discovery

An award of £10,000 to recognise a senior researcher (in academia or industry) who has a distinguished international reputation and a proven track record of leadership in:

• initiating or progressing new scientific principles or frameworks that have transformed the process of developing human medicines
• translating drug discovery towards the development of human medicines.

Find out about the winners of the Inaugural Chris McGuigan Awards in 2019.

Supporting our work

The Chris McGuigan Drug Discover Awards and Symposium are made possible thanks to the generosity of Dr Geoff Henson in memory of his friend and colleague, Professor Chris McGuigan.

If you would like to support our work to celebrate the pioneers of drug discovery and the legacy of Professor Chris McGuigan, you can make a gift donation, noting your wish to donate to the Chris McGuigan Drug Discovery Awards.