HG Smith Memorial Medal

The HG Smith Medal is awarded annually to a financial member of RACI who has contributed most to the development of some branch of chemical science; this contribution will be judged by research work published or accepted for publications during the ten years immediately preceding the award. The major proportion of the work shall have been done in Australia or its Territories.

Professor Leone Spiccia

An internationally respected researcher and mentor for early career researchers

Professor Leone Spiccia is respected internationally for his contributions to research in the fields of inorganic and materials chemistry. A major objective of his research is the understanding of natural phenomena and the translation of concepts from nature into the laboratory (biomimicry) to develop metal complexes and inorganic materials for applications such as metallo-enzyme mimics, biosensors, cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, third-generation photovoltaics and solar fuels. His research covers fundamental and applied aspects and is highly multidisciplinary, combining chemistry with biology, (bio)medical science, (nano)material science, environmental science, earth science and physics.

Over the last 10 years, Professor Spiccia has co-authored over 160 publications and has lodged four patents. In recognition of his recent research contributions, particularly to photovoltaic and solar fuels research, Professor Spiccia received a prestigious Senior Humboldt Research Award in 2010 and was a Specially Appointed Professor in the Catalysis Research Centre at Hokkaido University in 2012.

In total, Professor Spiccia has supervised 32 research students to completion. In recognition of his commitment to providing high quality supervision, he was awarded the 2005 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Postgraduate Supervision – the second chemist to receive this award since its inception. At the same time, he have provided strong mentorship for early career researchers working in my group, facilitating the successful development of their own careers. These young researchers have been the recipients of
a variety of prestigious awards and fellowships.