Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Phillip Crews has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) Phillip Crews Mentorship Award. This new award recognizes Crews’ exceptional commitment to mentoring and advancing the careers of countless scientists in the physical and biological sciences and particularly the fields of natural products research.
The ASP established the Phillip Crews Mentorship Award to highlight the vital role of mentorship in scientific progress, particularly in fostering the careers of individuals historically underrepresented in the sciences. As the award’s namesake and first-ever recipient, Crews embodies the principles of dedicated guidance and inclusive excellence that the ASP seeks to promote.
Crews has dedicated his career to both scientific discovery and mentorship. His research focuses on natural products of marine sponges and in the use of bioanalytical techniques to characterize unique small molecules with therapeutic potential as new medicines. Crews mentors students and early-career researchers through what he calls “leading with research.” This approach emphasizes hands-on learning, critical problem-solving, and perseverance—key elements that have shaped his mentees’ successes. Additional key factors included grants awarded to Crews that significantly enhanced his daily mentoring efforts. Notably, two included the UC Santa Cruz-based NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate (1994-2025) and the Dreyfus Foundation Senior Scientist Mentor Program (2016-2019).
The award will be presented at the 2025 ASP Annual Meeting scheduled for Aug. 2-6, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Crews will deliver a featured award lecture that will explore the intersections of scientific inquiry and mentorship, as well as the challenges and rewards of fostering the next generation of researchers.
“Our family is thrilled by this incredible news,” Crews said. “Decades ago, when I joined the ASP, there were just two major annual ASP named awards. These were established in 1977 and 1998 respectively, followed by a third in 2000. Now, it is with both pleasure and humility that I look forward to attending annual ASP meetings, where everyone will celebrate four awards.”
With this award, ASP affirms the importance of mentorship in shaping the future of natural products science. Crews’ legacy at UC Santa Cruz and beyond continues to inspire, ensuring that the next wave of scientists will benefit from the same dedication, rigor, and support that have defined his career.
