Chemist Phillip Milner receives Young Innovator Award

Awards and Honors

By | Linda B. Glaser , A&S Communications

11/11/2026

Phillip Milner, associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, has won the 2026 Young Innovator Award from the Advanced Science open access journal.

The award is given to scientists whose interdisciplinary approaches are bridging fields and accelerating the path from laboratory breakthrough to practical applications. Winners are selected based on the originality of their research, demonstrated impact potential and ability to work across traditional scientific boundaries, according to a statement from Advanced Science.

Twelve winners were selected from a competitive pool of 382 applicants across 52 countries.

"These researchers show what the next generation of scientific leadership looks like: rigorous, ambitious and focused on impact," said Kirsten Severing, editor-in-chief of Advanced Science. "The strength and international breadth of this year's applications made for an exceptionally competitive selection, making these winners reflective of the future of scientific leadership."

Milner’s teaching and research interests lie at the intersection of organic and materials chemistry. The Milner group develops new reactivity-based chemical separations, which are critical to the fight against climate change. His group also designs heterogeneous reagents and catalysts for the late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules, opening new doors in drug development. In a third area of research, the Milner group develops novel strategies to safely handle gases as solid reagents, with applications in pharmaceutical synthesis and therapeutic delivery.

Milner’s other awards include the American Chemical Society Award in Pure Chemistry, a Scialog Award and a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award.

Linda B. Glaser is news and media relations manager for the College of Arts and Sciences