Professor Marinella Mazzanti at EPFL has received the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Mond-Nyholm Prize for Inorganic Chemistry for her pioneering research on molecular f-element chemistry and nitrogen activation.The Mond-Nyholm Prize for Inorganic Chemistry recognizes “outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences in the area of inorganic chemistry.” Awarded annually by the Royal Society of Chemistry since 2020, the Prize includes a lecture tour in the United Kingdom.Professor Marinella Mazzanti at EPFL’s School of Basic Sciences, has been awarded the 2026 Prize for pioneering molecular f-element chemistry in unusual oxidation states and multimetallic systems for nitrogen activation.F-elements include the lanthanides and actinides, metals found in the lower rows of the periodic table. Their unusual electronic properties give them potential uses in areas such as catalysis, energy, magnetic materials and nuclear chemistry. Their high reactivity also makes them difficult to study and control.At EPFL, Mazzanti directs the Group of Coordination Chemistry, which designs molecular structures that hold several metal atoms in precise arrangements, which has revealed rare oxidation states and new forms of chemical reactivity.Her group also studies how F-elements interact with small, stable molecules, including nitrogen. Breaking the strong bond between the two atoms in nitrogen gas is a major chemical challenge. Better ways to activate nitrogen could support the development of less energy intensive routes to nitrogen based chemicals, including fertilizers.“I am thrilled and truly honoured to be awarded the Mond-Nyholm Prize,” says Mazzanti. “This recognition is a significant milestone that highlights the exciting, yet challenging, field of f-element chemistry.”“It is incredibly satisfying to see our efforts to ‘tame’ these metals into new oxidation states and using them to tackle nitrogen activation resonate with the wider scientific community,” she adds. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and curiosity of my entire research group. I am deeply indebted to the talented students and colleagues who have shared this journey with me.”