David MacMillan

Scottish chemist with a great wife, three annoying kids and a love of all things football. Nobel prize 2021, knighted 2022, and “Off the Ball” mug winner 2023

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

Incredibly sad to see this news this morning. Working class kid from Yorkshire who changed the art world. Personally, I felt he was one of the most inspiring humans who ever lived. He gave so many people so much joy, just by doing what he loved….and he never stopped innovating, amazing man.

David Hockney, Who Restored the Human Form to Art, Dies at 88 https://t.co/3bq6m2i87b

[Princeton Chemistry @PrincetonChem]

The perfect lead-in to the weekend ...

... a photo of members of the @MacMillan_Lab on a group trip to Bozeman, Montana!

Enjoy your weekend.

[Princeton Chemistry @PrincetonChem]

We are thrilled to announce that @PrincetonChem’s Christopher Chang has been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences @theNASciences in recognition of distinguished and continued achievements in original research.

Bravo Chris! #NASmembers

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

I am really happy to share that two of my closest friends, Jeff Long of UC Berkeley and Jim McCusker of Michigan State University have kindly agreed to travel to Scotland to deliver the annual MacMillan Lecture at the University of Glasgow on the 20th of May.

These are two of the most distinguished figures in their respective fields, and to have them both here in Glasgow for this lecture is a massive honour for me. Apart from some amazing science, I am really excited to get the chance to have a few beers with them at the Aragon, and a fish supper at the Blue Lagoon!

A heartfelt thank you to Jeff and Jim and to Nicola Bell for bringing all of this together.

2nd Annual MacMillan Lecture - University of Glasgow https://t.co/i7YcJ4RHKY

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

The Adoration of the Maga. A few thoughts. It all felt a step too far by Gianni Infantino. The award of the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize felt more to do with its president’s desire to please powerful politicians as much as Donald Trump’s love of such glitzy, expensive offerings of loyalty last seen in medieval courts.

It felt more about politics than sport, a risky game for Fifa to play whenever it wants to bring a national association into line for perceived interference by government in the future. The Trump trophy weakens Fifa statutes. It also distracted from the real trophy, the World Cup, and the group-stage draw, traditionally a celebration about bringing countries together. Infantino took his eye off the balls.

A football draw designed to work out who plays who and (eventually) where and when is not the time or place for such politics. Infantino wasn’t speaking for the world in bestowing the Peace Prize, as he claimed. So presumptuous. So out of touch. Many probably agree that Trump has been a force for good in geopolitics, some might disagree. Most would probably feel such decisions should be left to experienced experts like the Nobel Committee and, please, can we get on with a football draw.

It’s spectacularly naïve or simply arrogant for Fifa to enter such non-football areas. It feels more and more that this was as much an Infantino initiative as Fifa’s. Infantino was supposed to drain the swamp when he arrived at Fifa in 2016 in the wake of assorted corruption scandals bedevilling the governing body of world football. How fitting that the nadir of Infantino’s propensity for self-aggrandisement as leader of what’s supposed to be a team game came in Washington. It was there that Trump promised to transform politics with his “drain the swamp” rhetoric, also in 2016.

The selfie moment was particularly cringe-worthy. Infantino forgets that football is the star of the show, not a 55-year lawyer. A senior football executive, who’s been at the heart of the English and European game for more than 20 years, messaged me during the drawn-out draw with his verdict on Infantino. “I feel revulsion, anger, shame, disgust – how has our sport been taken over by a Swiss ***** and turned into a total travesty???” He also pointed out that ensuring the leaders of USA, Mexico and Canada each somehow pulled out their own country’s name was not a good look for a draw based on chance.

Great for the cameras, though. Flash, bang, wallop, what a picture of Infantino's priorities. And who gets the next FIFA Peace Prize? And wouldn't Infantino have gained more respect had he used the money for the Trump trophy to subsidise excessive ticket costs? He's lost sight of what should be the real priorities for the leader of football. The game.

It's sad, really. Many sensible people work at Fifa, passionate about the game not their own ego, but it's alarming what happens to the leadership when they take power there. Even the great football manager Arsene Wenger has changed since becoming Chief of Global Football Development at Fifa. He now campaigns for more games, backing the expanded World Cup, which he would have railed against as a widely-admired, free-thinking club manager, fiercely protective of his players' well-being. "I believe that 48 teams is the right number." Arsene, just listen to yourself.

Many fans probably won’t lose much sleep that Wenger dances to Fifa's tune or that Infantino cosies up to Trump, Aramco and co. Some probably think Fifa’s a video game. Most just can’t wait for the football. The game’s about Mbappe and Messi, Haaland and Salah, Kane and Dembele, not Infantino and Trump.

The game’s about the Tartan Army, the brilliant Mexican following, the ever-hopeful English, the mobile carnival of Brazilians and the millions of other fans flocking to venue cities next summer, only a third with tickets. The USA is prepared for the party. I covered USA 94 and you couldn’t really tell there was a tournament on, certainly where I was in Detroit, Chicago and DC. You will this time, also in Canada. Mexico's total immersion was never in doubt given their passion for the game.

Infantino should remember this. He runs a great football organisation, not a political organisation. He needs to re-focus. Fifa is undeniably a force for good in many countries. The Fifa Foundation runs a new community programme that supports 154,924 people in 54 nations. Its new Digital Education Programme works on computer literacy amongst disadvantaged groups, helping them into the workplace. It’s easy to say it’s all about Infantino (Foundation board president), soft power and ensuring he keeps countries onside, voting for him, but the Foundation undeniably changes lives.

Infantino needs to look at his Adoration of the Maga and remember what he should be doing for football: serving it, not himself. #FIFAWorldCup.

[Scotland National Team @ScotlandNT]

We. Are. There.

#FIFAWorldCup | @FIFAWorldCup

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

One of the most used photoredox reactions in pharma is the deoxygenative cross-coupling using deoxazole ("NHC"), and the industry wide uptake of this diversity generating transformation has just been brilliant to see. This new paper from Johnson & Johnson (by Shane Plunkett and Justin Diccianni), makes the protocol even more general than before. Super cool stuff and def worth a read!

A Simplified, One-Pot, Procedure for the Deoxygenative Alkylation of Aryl Bromides | Organic Letters https://t.co/JPD2iiKbTd

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

When you go to Old Trafford for the first time and the guy sitting next to you seems to know what he is talking about. Huge thank you to Sir Alex for the invitation. As they say in Glasgow, “how good was that?” Amazing to enjoy this with my brother and sister. The game was brilliant, the atmosphere was brilliant but most of all the company was brilliant, especially big Roy. Theatre of dreams!

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

It was a true privilege to present a chemistry talk on organocatalysis to HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and 450 high school kids as part of the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF). The LIYSF is a remarkable charitable organization that brings young students from all over the world (92 countries) to London to learn about and get involved with scientific research that is happening in the UK. The audience was one of the most fun and enthusiastic I have experienced in my career, and the event was a true highlight of a busy week in London. We enjoyed a number of funny stories from Princess Anne, and I will try and forgive Jean for asking HRH for a selfie! For the record, I quickly explained that Jean was an American and couldn’t help herself. Amazing organization and a wonderful day.

[Princeton Chemistry @PrincetonChem]

Earlier this month, the Todd Hyster Lab published a Perspective on “Emergent Mechanisms in Biocatalysis” in ACS Central Science @ACSPublications

Nice work Felix and Todd. DOI: https://t.co/mSFgSLrKMJ

[Princeton Chemistry @PrincetonChem]

David MacMillan has been named Distinguished Scholar to the Ludwig Princeton Branch of @Ludwig_Cancer, opening a new chapter in cancer research for the @MacMillan_Lab.

Announcement from @PrincetonChem: https://t.co/yFKlqTme02

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

I was asked what America and Princeton University mean to me.

With the University’s help we made a very short video, where I talk about Princeton and why all of our academic enterprises are so important to the US and to the world. As you can see, this is very personal for me.

If you feel as strongly as I do, please join me and and the community of Princeton alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends who are committed to making the case for America’s colleges and universities: https://t.co/F0YHmMp06V

I believe that all scientists truly care about making our society better for everyone. We are not “the elite,” if anything, we are the working class of society. We are not the people at the top of the mountain looking down, we are the people at the bottom of the mountain trying to help everyone else get to the top. To my mind there is no more noble profession than being a scientist and an educator.

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

Reposting with additional info:

I will be back in Scotland during the first week of April, giving some talks in Glasgow and St. Andrews.  The general public talk is non-technical and should be accessible to anyone who likes a little bit of science and some (hopefully) funny stories. The technical talk is about the invention of chemistry to access molecules that can be tested as medicines.  If you are interested in either please come along….. and please stay to say hello at the end.

Tues April 1, 5:30pm: St Andrews University, General Public Talk. Pathways in discovery and in life; From Bellshill to the US to the Nobel Prize (see attached flyer). Open to all

Wed April 2, 2pm: St Andrews University, Technical Talk. The Development of Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Metallaphotoredox. (Booth Lecture Theatre, Medical and Biological Sciences Building). Open to all

Thurs April 3, 5:30pm: Glasgow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. General Public Talk. Pathways in discovery and in life; From Bellshill to the US to the Nobel Prize. Open to all

Just to manage expectations, the "brilliantly entertaining" might be a reach!

[Dr Nicola Bell @NickelCarbon]

I'm excited to announce that we will be hosting Prof. John Hartwig @JohnFHartwig1 @UofGChem on April 23rd for the Inaugural MacMillan Lecture in honour of our alumnus Prof. David MacMillan @dmac68.

Free tickets available here: https://t.co/Qp3DRj6VMt

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

I will be back in Scotland during the first week of April, giving some talks in Glasgow and St. Andrews.  The general public talk is non-technical and should be accessible to anyone who likes a little bit of science and some (hopefully) funny stories. The technical talk is about the invention of chemistry to access molecules that can be tested as medicines.  If you are interested in either please come along….. and please stay to say hello at the end.  

Tues April 1, 5:30pm: St Andrews University, General Public Talk. Pathways in discovery and in life; From Bellshill to the US to the Nobel Prize (see attached flyer). Open to all

Wed April 2, 2pm: St Andrews University, Technical Talk. The Development of Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Metallaphotoredox. (Booth Lecture Theatre, Medical and Biological Sciences Building). Open to all

Thurs April 3, 5:30pm: Glasgow, Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians. General Public Talk. Pathways in discovery and in life; From Bellshill to the US to the Nobel Prize. Open to all

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

I am in Japan right now, but a bunch of people have been sending me this via text. I guess this was last night in the US. It’s kind of surreal when your scientific research ends up as a Jeopardy question…..super cool though!

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

So saddened to hear the news about Fraser Stoddart passing. He was a remarkable man in so many ways. I consider myself very fortunate to have shared some really great times with him, discussing our upbringing and our intense pride in being Scottish. For me, he was a role model, a ground breaking chemist -with an insatiable drive - but most of all, a truly decent and generous person, who cared deeply for so many. To steal one of his favourite sayings….. you played a blinder Fraser!

[David MacMillan @dmac68]

Happy Nobel day to those who celebrate! From the Swedish Residency in New York City, huge congratulations to the 2024 winners and all the folks in Stockholm still having a ball in City Hall!

[Princeton Chemistry @PrincetonChem]

David MacMillan @MacMillan_Lab spoke last week to teachers from 30 countries at the Annual @Nobel Teacher Summit in Stockholm, where he underscored the importance of teachers to his science.

(Shout out to Miss McKean @NewStevenstonPr.)

[Princeton Chemistry @PrincetonChem]

Now out from the @MacMillan_Lab in @nchembio: “µMap proximity labeling in living cells reveals stress granule disassembly mechanisms.”

Congratulations Roderick, Steve, Sean, and Dave on this fine work.

Paper here: https://t.co/8Oza8GJdxP