United Kingdom, England, Oxford: Four academics from Oxford receive recognition for trailblazing contributions in chemistry, economics, and engineering.
Oxford chemist Meera Mehta is set to receive the 2025 Philip Leverhulme Prize for her groundbreaking research into the chemistry of earth-abundant, non-toxic elements and their potential applications in materials science and synthetic chemistry. The award, presented by the Leverhulme Trust, celebrates early- to mid-career researchers whose work demonstrates outstanding international promise.
A total of 30 winners across six academic disciplines will each be granted 100,000GBP to support their upcoming research projects. Mehta, an Associate Professor in Oxford’s Department of Chemistry and a tutorial fellow at Trinity College, was among four Oxford scholars chosen from more than 350 nominations this year.
In comments to Oxford University, Mehta expressed that the prize “acknowledges the dedication and effort of my research team.” She further noted, “Beyond the financial support for a highly ambitious project, this recognition allows me to join the esteemed community of Philip Leverhulme Prize recipients and connect with scholars across diverse fields.”
Mehta’s research investigates nitrogen chain structures—reactive molecules traditionally requiring extreme conditions, such as ultrahigh pressures or ultracold temperatures, to study. Her team has recently demonstrated that stable four-nitrogen units can be created under normal laboratory conditions. She intends to use the prize funding to explore how the organic groups attached to these nitrogen structures affect their electronic and chemical properties.
Hailing from Toronto, Mehta earned her undergraduate degree at McMaster University and completed her PhD at the University of Toronto under Professor Douglas Stephan. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Oxford in 2018–2019, she joined the University of Manchester as a lecturer before returning to Oxford in 2024.
Other Oxford winners include Associate Professor Emilio Martinez-Paneda from the Department of Engineering Science, recognised for his research in material mechanics; Associate Professor Ludvig Sinander from the Department of Economics, awarded for his work in economic theory; and Professor Noa Zilberman of Engineering Science, honoured for her contributions to computing infrastructure.
The Leverhulme Trust, among the UK’s largest research funders, presents these annual prizes in memory of Philip, Third Viscount Leverhulme, the Trust’s former benefactor. The awards support ambitious, curiosity-driven research across disciplines—from archaeology to literature—aimed at advancing fundamental knowledge and scholarship.
