Amos B. Smith, III
William Warren Rhodes-Robert J. Thompson Professor of Chemistry
Amos Smith’s research encompasses three diverse areas: development of innovative synthetic methods with wide application, demonstration of the utility of these synthetic tactics for the rapid construction of complex natural and unnatural products with significant bio-regulatory properties, and novel bio-organic/medicinal chemistry programs. In each area, he and his collaborators exploit the power of organic synthesis to improve human health.
To date, more than 90 architecturally complex natural products have been prepared in the Smith laboratory. Completed and ongoing collaborations have contributed to the development of small-molecule probes for neurodegenerative diseases, bioavailable HIV-1 protease inhibitors, and small molecule inhibitors of the HIV cell entry process.
Smith is the recipient of dozens of awards, most recently the 2015 Perkin Prize for Organic Chemistry by the Royal Society for Chemistry and the Paul G. Gassman Distinguished Service Award sponsored by the Division of Organic Chemistry of the American Chemical Society (ACS). He was founding editor-in-chief of Organic Letters and has been on the editorial boards of many other journals. To date Smith’s research has been reported in more than 500 peer-reviewed publications.
About the Donor
William W. Rhodes, C’1910, and Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Thompson
The Rhodes-Thompson Chair was established in 1972 through the generosity of the late William W. Rhodes, C'1910 and Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Thompson.