George Whitesides, Chair of the Lab on a Chip Editorial Board was recently awarded two major prizes recognising his outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences and his continued presence at the forefront of technological achievement. The two prizes - the Dreyfus prize and the Benjamin Franklin Medal - are both highly prestigious awards and nominate researchers who have changed the landscape of scientific thought. 

This is the first Dreyfus prize awarded by the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation and it consists of $250,000, a citation and a medal in recognition for Whitesides's revolutionary advances in the chemistry of soft materials. Commenting on receiving the Dreyfus prize, Whitesides stated "I'm particularly pleased and honored by this award from the Dreyfus Foundation. Its work in raising public awareness of chemistry is helping to educate young people about the transformative power of this science". 

A few weeks ago, Whitesides was also the recipient of the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Medal awarded by the Franklin Institute. The award recognised Whitesides's research in molecular self-assembly and for his invention of rapid techniques for the inexpensive fabrication of ultra-small devices for practical use. 

Whitesides has dedicated his career to scientific innovation which can directly benefit society pioneering such areas as rapid and low cost manufacture of devices for medical applications. He has also had an extensive impact on how new materials are synthesised. His impact on business has also been substantial and he has been involved in the start-up of more than 12 companies and currently holds over 50 patents. 

Professor Whitesides frequently publishes important work in Lab on a Chip and he began his four year tenure as editorial board chair at the beginning of 2008. The RSC and the Lab on a Chip Editorial Team extends its warm congratulations to Professor Whitesides for these excellent achievements.