Ryoji Noyori is a prominent Japanese chemist known for his contributions to the field of asymmetric synthesis. Born on September 3, 1938, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2001 for his work on chirality and the development of new methods for synthesizing chiral molecules. His research has had significant implications in pharmaceuticals and materials science. Noyori's work often focuses on catalysis, particularly the use of ruthenium and platinum complexes to facilitate chemical reactions. He has held various academic positions, including serving as the president of Nagoya University and the RIKEN research institute, where he has influenced many students and researchers in the field of chemistry.