Top honour for chemistry pioneer
Professor Milton Hearn
Pioneer in green chemistry research Professor Milton Hearn has been awarded the Leighton Memorial Medal, the highest award of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, including his leadership role in the advancement of green chemistry, Professor Hearn was presented with the award at a Melbourne ceremony last week.
The pioneering work of Professor Hearn, from the School of Chemistry, has been instrumental in expanding the field of green chemistry at both a national and international level. Research undertaken by Professor Hearn and his team has an essential role in reducing the environmental and social impacts of the chemical industry.
"I am delighted to be awarded the 2012 Leighton Memorial Medal at a time that the concepts and practice of green chemistry are becoming more fully imbedded in industry and the community, both in Australia and overseas,” Professor Hearn said.
“I hope the receipt of this award will encourage younger scientists and engineers to further build upon the recent important discoveries and applications of green chemistry, which now offer the way forward to solve the grand challenges facing the planet in terms of greater sustainability.”
As Director of the newly established $24.9 million Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing (VCSCM), Professor Hearn continues his crucial role in greener manufacturing in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries.
“Of the 80,000 or so industrial chemicals used commercially, more than 90 per cent are produced from fossil fuels. In a carbon-aware economy this will have to change. Sustainability is the goal and green chemistry is the means,” Professor Hearn said.
Led by Monash in partnership with the Victorian Government, CSIRO, PACIA and EPA Victoria, the new facility has created new opportunities for research, training and collaboration and will improve the capacity of the Australian chemical industry to respond to the challenges of the future.
Professor Hearn has previously been recognised with numerous awards in Australia and internationally, including five other prestigious Royal Australian Chemical Institute awards. He is also a recipient of the Centennial Medal of the Commonwealth of Australia.