Los Angeles, California, USA: Neil Garg, an Indian-American chemist and distinguished professor at UCLA, has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry's prestigious 2026 Centenary Prize. The honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to organic chemistry and science communication. Only three scientists worldwide receive the award each year across all fields of chemistry.

Garg earned recognition for challenging long-standing principles in organic chemistry through innovative research. His work on Bredt's rule, a century-old chemical principle, and studies involving amide carbon-nitrogen bond activation have helped advance scientific understanding and develop new synthetic methods. His latest research was recently featured in Science Advances.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Garg is also widely known for his contributions to education and public outreach. He has developed widely used learning resources, introduced innovative teaching methods at UCLA, and led initiatives such as The Organic Coloring Book and Chem Kids camp. The award places him among a select group of UCLA chemists who have previously received the prestigious Centenary Prize.