The University of Queensland’s Professor Trevor Ireland has been awarded the prestigious Robert Willhelm Bunsen Medal for 2025 by the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
The medal acknowledges his long scientific career in cosmochemistry, isotope geochemistry and for contributions made in analytical development, helping others expand their scientific work.
“I enjoy technical development as a means to an end of solving scientific problems,” Professor Ireland said.
“My scientific work has covered a number of fields, but my main expertise in cosmochemistry has allowed me to participate in a number of missions to bring back extraterrestrial samples.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be working at such an interesting time in science.”
The medal was established by the European Geosciences Union in recognition of the scientific achievements of Robert Wilhelm Bunsen – a 19th lauded century geochemist, who notably invented the Bunsen burner.
It has long recognised distinguished research in geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology and volcanology.
Professor Ireland was surprised and grateful to receive the award.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be acknowledged by your peers, but even more so from an international organisation like the EGU,” he said.
“And it has certainly given me a personal boost and a renewed enthusiasm for carrying on my work, and especially getting the SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe) Lab going at UQ.”
While thankful for the commendation, Professor Ireland is thankful to his collaborators.
“An award like this is really recognition of a larger group of people who have contributed their expertise to the work I do,” he said.
“I’m extremely grateful to my colleagues over the years for their company on this scientific journey.”
To learn more about Professor Ireland’s work, watch his 2024 UQ BrisScience presentation: What are asteroids made of?
Media: UQ Faculty of Science Media, science.media@uq.edu.au, +61 438 162 687.
