Ian Paterson has made key contributions to the stereocontrolled synthesis of biologically active natural products, conducting pioneering work on new methods and reagents for the total synthesis of polyketides, which include anticancer agents, antibiotics and immunosuppressants. He has developed innovative strategies and general methods for the asymmetric synthesis of stereochemically elaborate building blocks, particularly by using substrate- and reagent-controlled aldol reactions, which greatly facilitate the efficient modular synthesis of structurally complex, polyoxygenated natural products. Notable achievements include the total synthesis of a variety of rare anticancer agents, including spongistatin, spirastrellolide, dictyostatin, swinholide and discodermolide, as well as the macrolides concanamycin F and oleandolide. His research contributions have been recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry through various awards and prizes.