Professor Nancy Makri is one of five researchers selected by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement to receive competitive Cottrell Plus SEED (Singular Exceptional Endeavors of Discovery) Awards for 2022. 

SEED Awards offer Cottrell Scholars the opportunity to start high-risk, high-reward new research or educational activities, granting $50,000 for research projects or $25,000 for educational projects. All of the 2022 awards are for research. 

“Cottrell Scholars are innovators, and this is a select group of accomplished scientists,” said Senior Program Director Silvia Ronco. “The creative new projects they generate with these awards could lead to some high-impact results.” 

Makri, Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Chair, and Professor of Chemistry, is also a professor of physics, a member of the Illinois Quantum Information and Technology Center, an affiliate of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and an affiliate of the Computational Science and Engineering Program. The central goal of research in the Makri research group is to advance the theoretical understanding of quantum mechanical processes in large molecules and the condensed phase.

Makri's project that will be supported by this SEED award is Real-Time Path Integral Studies of Cavity-Controlled Exciton Dynamics.

SEED accepts chemistry proposals from Cottrell Scholars in even-numbered years, and physics and astronomy proposals in odd-numbered years. 

Since 1994, the Cottrell Scholar program has honored and helped to develop outstanding teacher-scholars who are recognized by their scientific communities for the quality and innovation of their research programs and their potential for academic leadership.

The SEED Award is among a suite of Cottrell Plus Awards offered to support Cottrell Scholars at different stages throughout their careers.