Ralston elected to Science Academy
by Geraldine Hinter
Eminent UniSA scientist, Professor John Ralston, has been named in an
elite group of Australia’s leading scientists to be elected to the
Australian Academy of Science. Prof Ralston is Director of the Ian Wark
Research Institute and Professor of Physical Chemistry and Minerals
Processing.
Election to the Academy recognises a career that has significantly advanced and continues to advance the world’s scientific knowledge.
Prof Ralston’s scientific contributions cover specialty areas of physical chemistry, colloid and surface chemistry, including mineral flotation processes, surface chemistry of metal sulphides and the static and dynamic wetting behaviour of solid surfaces.
He provided the inspiration and the motivating force for the establishment of the Ian Wark Research Institute, known worldwide for its fundamental research in interfaces.
The Wark™ is the Australian Research Council Special Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces. It performs a special blend of fundamental and applied research that is published in respected international journals and may appear as patents. Some of the research is aimed at improving existing processes in industry while other efforts lead to new technologies.
Education is also a major function of The Wark™. Prof Ralston heads a team of 70 research staff and 70 research students, supported by a strong administrative team.