Chemist Jared Lewis selected as 2011 Searle Scholar

Jared Lewis, assistant professor in chemistry, has been named a 2011 Searle Scholar and will receive $300,000 to support his research program over the next three years. He will use the funding to support his research on new catalyst systems for efficient chemical synthesis.

Lewis was among 15 Searle Scholars who were selected from 180 applications and nominated by 126 universities and research institutions. The selections were based on demonstrated innovative research and the potential for making significant contributions to biological research over an extended period of time.

The Searle Scholars Program is funded through grants from the trusts established under the wills of John G. and Frances C. Searle. John Searle was president of G.D. Searle & Co. of Skokie, Ill., a research-based pharmaceutical company.