Nicholas J. Race, PhD
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
MChem (First Class), Oxford University, 2010
Ph.D. University of Bristol, 2015; Advisor: Prof. John Bower
Postdoc, University of Utah, 2015 - 2018; Advisor: Prof. Matthew Sigman
Contact: nrace@umn.edu; Office phone: +1 612 625 0781
Nick grew up in Leicester, UK. In 2006, Nick began his undergraduate studies in Chemistry at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, U.K. As part of his degree, he undertook a final year research project with Professor Timothy Donohoe exploring olefin cross metathesis as a method for the synthesis of substituted pyrroles, for which he was awarded the Brian Bannister Prize for "best final year project thesis." In 2010, Nick received a First Class MChem degree. Additional to his studies, Nick was also an organ scholar at St. Edmund Hall and performed in numerous recitals on both the organ and piano throughout his time in Oxford.
He earned his doctorate in organic chemistry in 2015 from the University of Bristol, U.K. Under the tutelage of Professor John Bower, Nick worked on the development of aza-Heck cyclizations for the synthesis of chiral nitrogen heterocycles. He was also a member of the Bristol Chemical Synthesis Centre for Doctoral Training and received a Faculty of Science Commendation for his graduate work.
After graduate school Nick moved across the globe to Utah where he was a post-doctoral with Professor Matthew Sigman. There he worked on the enantioselective, intermolecular coupling of oxygen nucleophiles and alkenes.
Outside the lab, Nick is an accomplished pianist and organist. He has performed in many concerts in the United Kingdom, including performing two Mozart Piano concertos with the Leicestershire Sinfonia. He has also been privileged to play for services in many cathedrals around the UK, notably Bath Abbey, Wells Cathedral and Gloucester Cathedral.
Honors and Awards
2020 Thieme Chemistry Journal Awardee
2017 Faculty of Science Thesis commendation, University of Bristol, UK
2014 First prize, 25th Society of Chemical industry postgraduate symposium (oral presentation)
2013 Bristol Alumni Foundation Travel Award
2013 Society of Chemical Industry Messel-Grey Scholarship (National Award)
2010 Brian Bannister Trust prize, Oxford University, UK
2009 College scholarship, Oxford University, UK
2008 College scholarship, Oxford University, UK