The Quantum Bio-Inorganic Chemistry Society (QBIC Society) has awarded Dr. Ragnar Björnsson, leader of the Computational Chemistry group in the department of Prof. Serena DeBeer, the 2021 QBIC Society Award for his outstanding contributions to the field of bio-inorganic chemistry.

The QBIC Society thus recognizes the contributions of Dr. Björnsson to understanding biological nitrogen reduction, in particular his quantum chemical studies on the electronic structure and properties of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) of nitrogenase.

"The QBIC Society Award recognises outstanding contributions in the field of inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry that were achieved with theoretical, quantum chemical or computational methods. It intends to recognise a specific body of work, developed in one paper or a series of papers, that established new chemical or physical insights into a long-standing question, developed a new method or concept, or defined a new research direction. Calls for nominations open biannually." (source: QBIC Society website)

In addition to the 2020 awardee, Dr. Martin Srnec (J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry), Ragnar Björnsson will present his research in a lecture at one of the next QBIC Society meetings.

"The Quantum Bio-Inorganic Chemistry Society was founded in 2018 with the purpose of bringing together scientists from academia and industry who are working in the broad fields of theoretical and computational inorganic, bioinorganic, and biological chemistry." Its aim is to encourage, support, and promote all aspects of research and knowledge exchange in these areas of science.

More information can be found on the QBIC Society website.