The Egon Stahl-Award in Gold recognises the outstanding scientific lifetime work of a research scientist who has been closely linked to Pharmaceutical Biology (Pharmacognosy, Chemistry of Natural Products), through his scientific career. The Award is the highest and most prestigious scientific honour of the Society for Medicinal Plant Research (GA).
Prof. Kinghorn during his academic career so far, he worked together the most eminent scientists in the field of natural product research. The society recognises his tremendous contributions to science, his mentoring of so many younger colleagues, his dedication to scholarly publishing especial his editorship of the Journal of Natural Products for a quarter of a century and, of course his scientific output (425 major original publications, 58 reviews, 27 edited books, 79 book chapters , and 7 patents).
Major research interests have been natural product drug discovery, involving the isolation, identification, structure elucidation, and bioassay of biologically active plant constituents, in particular those with anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, antimicrobial (antileishmanial), and skin-irritant activities, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents.
Other fields of research have been chemotaxonomy (comparative phytochemistry) of plant alkaloids and terpenoids, phytochemical and toxicological studies on poisonous plants, qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis of plant constituents and studies on the constituents of botanical dietary supplements (phytomedicines).
Prof. Kinghorn completed his studies in the UK. In 1969 he received the Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Bradford, and in 1970 the M. Sc. in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. In 1975 he received his Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy and in 1990 he obtained the D.Sc. both at the School of Pharmacy, University of London [now UCL School of Pharmacy]. He then moved to the USA to continue and enlarge his research interests. In 2011 he received the Honorary D.Sc. from the Faculty of Life Sciences; University of Bradford.
During his academic career, he worked with the most eminent scientists in the field of natural product research. His advisor during Ph.D. studies was the late Prof. Fred J. Evans (The School of Pharmacy Univ. London). Advisor of the postdoctoral position at the University of Mississippi was the late Prof. N.J. Doorenbos and advisor of his research associate position was the late Prof. N.R. Farnsworth at the University of Illinois’ Medical Center (UIMC) in Chicago, IL. From 1977 to 1981 he had a position of Assistant Professor, and from 1981 to 1982 as Associate Professor at the same University. From 1982 to 1986 he was Associate Professor and from 1986 to 2004 Professor at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, UIC, Chicago. In 1992, he became Associate Director and in 1995 Assistant Head. From 1999 to 2004 he became Assistant and then Director of the Research Resources Center, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Since 2004 he is Professor/Jack L. Beal Chair at the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
It is a major honour for the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) and our personal pleasure to bestow Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn with the most distinct award, the Egon Stahl Award in Gold in 2020.
On behalf of the entire Board of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) – Judith M. Rollinger (president), Anna-Rita Bilia and Michael Heinrich (vice presidents), Olaf Kelber and Bernd Roether (ExCo members).
A special GA e-symposium will be dedicated to the awardees on November 6, 2020, and we are happy that Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn agreed on presenting the opening lecture on that event. All GA members as well as guests from all societies and people dedicated to natural product research are highly welcome. More information will follow.
Further Information
For further information please visit the College of Pharmacy’s website.
General information
The GA (Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research) is dedicated to the scientific exchange of information about medicinal plants, their pharmacology; the phytochemistry, biosynthesis and biotechnology of natural products, and related fields to basic and applied research on medicinal plants and natural products. One of our key aims is to foster research and disseminate information about evidence based medical uses of natural substances.
This press release provides information and an assessment of the current scientific evidence for scientific, educational and non-commercial use. It is for the purpose of disseminating information only and does not constitute and form of advice.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Anna Rita Bilia
ar.bilia@unifi.it
Dr Olaf Kelber
ga-secretary@ga-online.org
