Sponsored by the CSC Biological/Medicinal Chemistry Division and Organic Chemistry Division

The Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Lectureship Award is presented to a scientist who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of biological or medicinal chemistry within the past five years of the initial nomination deadline date while working in Canada.
View the Terms of Reference and list of Past Winners

The 2025 winner of the Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Lectureship Award is:
Martin Schmeing, MCIC
McGill University
Martin Schmeing received his B.Sc. from McGill University, before obtaining his Ph.D. under Tom Steitz at Yale University. Martin then performed postdoctoral research with Venki Ramakrishnan at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge. He returned to McGill University in 2010 and is currently a James McGill Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and the Director of the Centre de recherche en biologie structurale. The main focus of his research is on elucidating structures and functions of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and other peptide-making macromolecular machines. NRPSs are large microbial enzymes that synthesize their products through amide bond formation between building block monomers (most commonly amino acids). The chemical and biological properties of these compounds often make them useful to society as therapeutics (antibiotics, antivirals, anti-tumours, and immunosuppressants) and as natural green chemicals (emulsifiers, siderophores, and research tools). His work has been recognized with honours including the Young Investigator Award from Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences, the Joe Doupe Award from the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation, the Bhagirath Singh Early Career Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a Career Development Award from the Human Frontier Science Program Organization, and a Canada Research Chair.