Professor John Moses

Oration for: Professor John Moses

Delivered by: Dr Jixin Yang

I am delighted to present Professor John Moses for the award of Honorary Fellow of Wrexham University.  

Originally hailing from Ponciau (Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham), John E. Moses is a Professor of Click Chemistry and a member of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cancer Center in New York. His research, positioned at the crossroads of chemistry and biology, is dedicated to pioneering Click Chemistry techniques for discovering new anticancer and antibiotic medications.

Professor Moses’ academic journey commenced here at NEWI (now Wrexham University), where he was awarded a BTEC National Diploma in Science. His journey in science continued with undergraduate studies at the University of Bath, followed by a DPhil at Oxford under the mentorship of Professor Sir Jack Baldwin, FRS. 

A defining moment in his career arrived in 2004, when he joined the group of Professor K. B. Sharpless, a two-time Nobel laureate, at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, contributing to advancements in Click Chemistry.  Dr. Moses and his friend & mentor, Dr. Sharpless, continue to collaborate. 

In 2005, he was honoured with the RCUK-EPSRC Fellowship in Cancer Medicinal Chemistry at University College London’s School of Pharmacy, where his pioneering efforts in Click Chemistry facilitated groundbreaking research in anticancer drug development.

After spells at Nottingham and Melbourne (Australia), in 2020, he accepted the Founding Professor of Chemistry role at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the world-leading research institution in molecular biology and genetics.

Besides his academic pursuits, Professor Moses is dedicated to global scientific development, supporting educational institutions in countries such as India. He also provides his expertise as a consultant and expert witness to the pharmaceutical industry. His contributions to Click Chemistry have been internationally recognised, including the award of the prestigious 2021 Royal Society of Chemistry Horizon Prize.

Balancing his time between Long Island and Manhattan, he shares his life with his partner, Sarah. They maintain a residence in Wrexham, which remains close to his heart, especially as a retreat to spend quality time with his son, Glyn. He is an enthusiast of the electric guitar, rock/metal music, literature, TV (especially ‘Welcome to Wrexham’), and outdoor activities. 

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Science, it is my great pleasure to present Professor John Moses for admission to our highest honour of Honorary Fellowship of Wrexham University.