Gregory N. Stephanopoulos Endowment Reaches Historic Milestone

For more than four decades, Gregory Stephanopoulos, Willard Henry Dow Professor in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), widely recognized as one of the founding fathers of metabolic engineering, has supported, encouraged, and mentored nearly 100 grad students and more than 50 post-docs, as well as colleagues.

We look forward to opening the application cycle to recognize the third ground-breaking researcher in 2025. The next recipient will join excellent company, 2021 Stephanopoulos awardee Jens Nielsen, Professor at the Chalmers University of Technology, Scientific Director at DTU Biosustain and CEO of the BioInnovation Institute, and 2023 Stephanopoulos awardee James C. Liao, President of Academia Sinica. — Dr. Gregory Stephanopoulos, Willard Henry Dow Professor in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

In recognition of Greg’s seminal work in the field, his passion for research and education, and the impact of his pioneering innovations in chemical engineering and biotechnology to meet some of society’s greatest needs, the Gregory N. Stephanopoulos Award for Metabolic Engineering was created.

In partnership with the AIChE Foundation, an endowment was launched specifically to support the Stephanopoulos Award. Earlier this year, the endowment’s fundraising committee officially exceeded their $100,000 goal by nearly 10%!

“Thanks to a generous group of donors, including friends, peers and former students, the challenge offered by Manus Bio which collectively raised more than $18,000, and Dr. Stephanopoulos himself, we are delighted to achieve this milestone, enabling the perpetual funding of the bi-annual award,” said Dr. Hal Alper, the Kenneth A. Kobe Professor of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, and Stephanopoulos Endowment Fundraising Chair.

Recognizing a prominent scientist or engineer who has made groundbreaking contributions to the industrial translation of developments in metabolic engineering is critical to the mission of the International Metabolic Engineering Society (IMES) and its objectives to drive for scientific excellence in the field. At the same time, this award helps raise awareness about the opportunities of metabolic engineering as an enabling science for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly bio-based production of numerous products including chemicals, liquid fuels, energy, pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals, foods, and materials. This award is unique in that it emphasizes the industrial translation of fundamental discoveries.

Presented bi-annually at the Metabolic Engineering Conference organized by IMES, the Stephanopoulos Award has already elevated metabolic engineering to the broader world. Greg Stephanopoulos said, “We look forward to opening the application cycle to recognize the third ground-breaking researcher in 2025. The next recipient will join excellent company, 2021 Stephanopoulos awardee Jens Nielsen, Professor at the Chalmers University of Technology, Scientific Director at DTU Biosustain and CEO of the BioInnovation Institute, and 2023 Stephanopoulos awardee James C. Liao, President of Academia Sinica.” At the awards ceremony, the awardee presents a forward-looking, visionary talk that outlines the field and provides their perspective on the future of metabolic engineering. It is the hope that this awardee can inspire the next generation of metabolic engineers in much the same way that Greg mentored and inspired many current practitioners in the field.

We invite you to learn more about the Stephanopoulos Award Endowment and how to become involved.

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