Four of our academics have been identified in The World’s Most Influential Minds 2014 report by Thomson Reuters. The report identifies the most highly cited researchers of the last 11 years who have influenced the future direction of their fields and beyond.

“I feel it’s a great honour, and I’m not altogether sure I am worthy… having said that it is great to be recognised” said Professor Ian Paulsen from the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, who was surprised by his inclusion in the Microbiology category.

Ian’s work seeks to understand the mysterious workings of bacteria in many life-giving systems, from the digestive system to agricultural and health industries.

Professor Bill Griffin from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems (CCFS) was listed in the Geosciences category, alongside fellow non-Macquarie Centre members, Professor Zheng-Xiang Li and Professor Simon Wilde, both from Curtin University.

The CCFS has the overarching goal of developing and integrating a wide range of world-leading techniques in geochemistry, geophysics, geology, mathematics, dynamic modelling and more, to understand the origin, evolution and dynamics of the Earth and its crust, on which civilisation depends.

“We were of course delighted that all of the Australian Earth Scientists listed in this report are Chief Investigators in the CCFS,” said Bill. “Imagine the excitement of CCFS postgraduates to be in such a research environment with three of the Chief Investigators having this recognition for scientific influence.”

In the Environment/Ecology category, Dr Ian Wright and Professor Mark Westoby from the Department of Biological Sciences were both listed.

“I’ve been lucky enough to lead some really exciting projects over this last decade. Several of these involve multiple collaborators from many institutions and multiple countries, in which we aim to ‘nail down’ general principles about how plants conduct their core ‘business’, at a global scale” said Ian, while Mark was pleased that beyond the report, the Department of Biological Sciences has quite a few high-ranked researchers for environment and ecology, including some younger staff.