The original story was published on the U of T Celebrates website on July 30, 2025. You can read the original here

Alán Aspuru-Guzik, a professor in the departments of chemistry and computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been recognized with the Heinrich Emanuel Merck Award for Computational Sciences presented by German science and technology company Merck.

Worth more than $23,000, the prize honours extraordinary contributions in integrating advanced computational methods with scientific discovery. 

Aspuru-Guzik was recognized for pioneering work at the intersection of quantum computing, AI, automation and chemistry, including generative machine learning for quantum simulations. The award also honours his role in advancing self-driving laboratories, notably identifying top-performing organic lasers.

“My research interests are in areas that are poised to disrupt the chemical sciences,” Aspuru-Guzik said at the prize ceremony in Lindau, Germany. "We have pioneered algorithms for near-term quantum computers, and artificial intelligence and robotics for new materials. Recently we have focused strongly on AI agents that do science.

“Receiving the Heinrich Emanuel Merck Award is a testament to the exceptionally talented, motivated, and collaborative Matter Lab research group that we have assembled at the University of Toronto.”