Tell me a bio of W. Clark Still.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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W. Clark Still is an American organic chemist and academic who has made significant contributions to the field of organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Here is a brief bio of his life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life and Education**

William Clark Still was born in 1946 in New York City. He grew up in a family of scientists and engineers, which instilled in him an early interest in chemistry. Still earned his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1968 and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Columbia University in 1973.

**Career**

After completing his graduate studies, Still held postdoctoral research positions at Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley. In 1975, he joined the faculty at Columbia University as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry, where he rose through the ranks to become a Full Professor in 1985. In 1997, Still moved to Rockefeller University, where he is currently a Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry.

**Achievements**

Still's research has focused on the development of new methods for organic synthesis, particularly in the areas of asymmetric synthesis, natural product synthesis, and medicinal chemistry. Some of his notable achievements include:

1. **Development of the Still-Gennari Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction**: This reaction is a widely used method for forming carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis.
2. **Synthesis of complex natural products**: Still has developed innovative methods for synthesizing complex natural products, such as the antibiotic erythromycin and the anticancer agent taxol.
3. **Discovery of new medicinal compounds**: Still's research has led to the discovery of several new medicinal compounds, including inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is involved in inflammation and pain.

**Awards and Honors**

Still has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to chemistry, including:

1. **National Academy of Sciences**: Still was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1991.
2. **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: Still was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992.
3. **ACS Award in Organic Chemistry**: Still received the ACS Award in Organic Chemistry in 1995.
4. **Wolf Prize in Chemistry**: Still was awarded the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2006.

**Impact**

Still's research has had a significant impact on the field of organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. His development of new methods for organic synthesis has enabled the synthesis of complex natural products and medicinal compounds, which has led to the discovery of new treatments for various diseases. Additionally, his research has inspired a new generation of chemists and has contributed to the advancement of the field of organic chemistry.

Overall, W. Clark Still is a highly respected and accomplished organic chemist who has made significant contributions to the field of organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. His research has had a lasting impact on the field, and he continues to be a leading figure in the scientific community.
W. Clark Still is an American chemist and academic, best known for his work on molecular modeling, computer-assisted synthesis planning, and organic chemistry. Here's a brief bio highlighting his key facts, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life and Education**

W. Clark Still was born in 1946 in Hanover, New Hampshire. He received his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 1968 and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Harvard University in 1974, under the guidance of Professor E. J. Corey.

**Career**

Still's academic career began as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University (1974-1976) and later at the University of California, Berkeley (1976-1978). In 1978, he joined the faculty of Columbia University as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1983 and Full Professor in 1988.

**Achievements and Impact**

W. Clark Still is a prominent figure in the field of organic chemistry and molecular modeling. His research has focused on the development of new methods and tools for designing, synthesizing, and analyzing organic compounds. Some of his notable contributions include:

1. **MACCS** (Molecular ACCess System): Still developed this computer program for molecular modeling and design, which was widely used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
2. **Computer-assisted synthesis planning**: He made significant contributions to the development of algorithms and software for planning and optimizing organic syntheses.
3. **Chirality sensing**: Still's research group developed novel methods for detecting and analyzing chiral molecules, which is important for the pharmaceutical industry.
4. **Oligosaccharide synthesis**: He developed new methods for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates, which are important in many biological processes.

**Awards and Honors**

Throughout his career, W. Clark Still has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to chemistry, including:

1. **American Chemical Society (ACS) Award in Pure Chemistry** (1987)
2. **ACS Award for Computers in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research** (1991)
3. **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences** (1993)
4. **Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science** (1995)

**Current Position and Legacy**

W. Clark Still is currently the Herbert L. Conroe Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University. He has supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to become leading chemists in their own right. His research group continues to make important contributions to the field of organic chemistry, and his legacy as a pioneering chemist and educator endures.