The 2009 NPR Award Lecture has been delivered by Professor David O'Hagan from the University of St Andrews, UK.

Professor O'Hagan gave his lecture, entitled 'Enzymatic C-F bond formation. The fluorinase, has it biotechnological prospects?', last week at the Zing Natural Products Conference in Antigua. The prize, awarded by conference Chair Professor Chris Willis, was given in recognition of his work on natural product biosynthesis, in particular the biosynthesis of fluorinated natural products. Professor O'Hagan's long-term support of NPR as a former Chair of the Editorial Board was also highly valued by the judges.

David O'Hagan presented with his award by conference Chair Chris Willis

  
'I feel honoured to receive the NPR Lecture Prize for 2009,' says Professor O'Hagan. 'The Editorial Board are an extremely committed group of internationally leading researchers. They meet regularly and use all of their powers to encourage the very best authors and articles. Their dedication and that of the authors is potent and impressive and often lasts for many years. I value my involvement with NPR and the Editorial Office. I particularly thank Tom Simpson for getting me involved, Vikki Allen, the Editor, and Marcel Jaspers, the Chair of the Editorial Board.' 

NPR sponsors a lecture each year at an international meeting. The recipient will have made a significant research contribution to natural products chemistry in its broadest sense, and will have published in or have had some affiliation to the journal. The award is open to anyone fitting these criteria. 

A call for nominations for the 2010 NPR Lecture Award will open late this year.