Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
The Ian Wark Research Institute Medal is awarded annually to the graduate or graduand from the Ian Wark Research Institute with the most outstanding PhD thesis.
The medal is awarded based on the creativity and originality of the research, the student's comprehension of the field,
the significance and utility of the research as a contribution to, or as an application of,
knowledge and the impact of the thesis through the number and level of
international publications.
2008 Medal Winner
Dr Jingfang Zhou
Thesis title: Thymine-functionalised gold nanoparticles: Synthesis,
surface structure and colloid stability
Principal supervisor: Laureate Prof John Ralston
Past Medal Winners
2007 Dr Jarred Clasohm
Thesis title:
Investigation of hydrodynamic boundary conditions at liquid-solid interfaces
Principal supervisor: Prof Roger Horn
2006 Dr A Kanta
Thesis title: Titania and silica surfaces, wettability studies and applications
Principal supervisor: Prof John Ralston
2005 Dr Su Nee Tan
Thesis title: The Marangoni effect and transient foam stability of low
molecular weight polypropylene glycols
Principal supervisor: Prof John Ralston
2004 Dr Nicola Lake
Thesis title: Photo manipulation of biomolecular architecture and
surface wettability
Principal supervisor: Prof John Ralston
2003 Dr Paul Weber
Thesis title: Geochemical investigations of neutralising reactions
associated with acid rock drainage: Prediction, mechanisms and improved
tools for management
Principal supervisor: A/Prof Bill Skinner
2002 Dr Wuge Briscoe
Thesis title: Measurements of electrical double layer interactions in a
nonpolar liquid
Principal supervisor: Prof Roger Horn
2001 Dr Stephen Clarke
Thesis title: New siloxane sealant materials
Principal supervisor: Prof Jani Matisons
2000 Dr Ben Francis (inaugural winner)
Thesis title: A study of fluid adhesion through application of a model
tensile test
Principal supervisor: Prof Roger Horn
