UWA researcher to represent Australia at Nobel Laureate meeting

Dr Neil Robinson, a Research Associate at The University of Western Australia, has been selected as one of 11 young scientists to represent Australia at the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting in Lindau, Germany.

The 71st annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, dedicated to the field of chemistry, invites 40 Nobel Laureates who are leaders in their chosen fields of research, to interact with up to 600 young researchers from around the world.

Dr Robinson, who is a member of the Fluid Science and Resource Research Group within the UWA Department of Chemical Engineering, said the meeting was unlike a typical scientific conference as it was more of a networking opportunity.

“There are two aims of this meeting. The first is to allow those at the top of their field to interact with early-career researchers to pass on their experiences and best practices,” Dr Robinson said.

Image: Research Associate Dr Neil Robinson.

“It also provides an opportunity for those early career researchers to network and form a community of international chemists.”

On a personal level, Dr Robinson is thrilled to make the trip to Europe in June.

“It’s a great privilege to be selected to attend this meeting,” he said. “It’s an indication of both the University and the Australian Academy of Science’s confidence in my ability to represent Australian chemical research to an international audience.”

Dr Robinson’s research involves the study of porous materials for energy applications, where his interests include the storage and separation of useful gasses which may be used as fuels, as well as the development of materials to help transform waste resources into useful chemicals.

Last year, Dr Robinson was recognised as one of the world’s top early career chemical engineering researchers when he was named as an Institution of Chemical Engineers Global Awards finalist and in May he will take up a prestigious Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship to develop new hydrogen energy technologies.

UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor David Sadler commended Dr Robinson on his achievement.

“To have Neil selected to represent our University and Australia at this prestigious event is something we are all incredibly proud of,” Professor Sadler said.

“Neil has a bright future ahead of him and, coupled with the experience he will gain at this event, it will be exciting to see where his future endeavours take him.”