Congratulations to Raymond Twumasi, Ph.D. candidate working in Dr. David Nagib's lab for being awarded the 2021 Merck Research Award for Underrepresented Chemists of Color. Twumasi was one of ten selected for the award. This award recognizes underrepresented chemistry Ph.D. students and postdocs. Twumasi will be given the opportunity to work with a Merck mentor, and travel funds to attend the 2021 Merck Award Symposium, where he will present his research.

Twumasi was born in Ghana, West Africa, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13. He completed his undergraduate studies at St. John’s University, MN, where he received the American Institute of Chemists student award and the Glen Arth Scholar award, to recognize his academic achievements. Now, as a rising 5th year graduate student and NSF Fellow in Dr. Nagib's lab, his research focuses on developing new strategies for site-selective functionalization of alcohols via nitrogen radicals. Twumasi is involved in several outreach and mentorship programs through NOBCChE, and his church, where he volunteers as a chemistry tutor and mentor.