UNSW Sydney academics were recognised for their work in advancing biomedical and green energy technology.
Two researchers from UNSW Science's School of Chemistry have been recognised at the 2025 Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) National Awards for significant contributions to chemical sciences.
Professor Pall Thordarson - an expert in supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology - won the Leighton Memorial Medal for eminent services to chemistry in Australia. The Applied Research Award went to electrochemical scientist Professor Chuan Zhao.
UNSW Dean of Science Professor Sven Rogge congratulated the recipients for their commitment, passion and innovation that is driving the future of chemistry in Australia.
"The RACI National Awards recognise exceptional chemists across all career stages. I am very proud of Professors Thordarson and Zhao for their outstanding contributions to UNSW and broader science communities," he said.
'Chemistry is life'
Prof. Thordarson was named winner of the Leighton Memorial Medal. One of RACI's most prestigious awards, it recognises outstanding contributions to research, technology, leadership and the advancement of the chemical sciences.
He started his academic career as an organic chemist, studying and creating carbon-based molecules - the building blocks of life and many modern materials.
"I've always been interested in the interface between chemistry and biology," he said. "Life itself is the ultimate complex chemical system."
Known in science and medical circles for his breakthroughs using supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology that mimic biological systems, Prof. Thordarson's work has resulted in life-changing products. These include smart gels and biodevices, some which help anti-cancer drugs kill tumorous cells, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, and others that have led to the creation of better biosensors for medical applications.
Chemistry is the key to understanding life and the world around us, and it's through chemistry that we can maintain, grow or change everything around us.
As Director of Australia's first and leading RNA research hub, the UNSW RNA Institute , Prof. Thordarson oversees pioneering research in biology, chemistry and medicine. His teams are working to advance RNA technologies and therapeutics for products like vaccines and treatments for diseases.
His passion for chemistry is infectious.
"Chemistry is everywhere. Everything we care about in this world, including us and those we love, are all made of chemicals. It's the key to understanding life and the world around us, and it's through chemistry that we can maintain, grow or change everything around us, be it with what we eat, what we build, how we travel or what we create to cure diseases. It's life!"
Pioneering technologies to reduce the cost of green hydrogen
Prof. Zhao, a pioneer in developing low-cost catalysts - substances to speed up chemical reactions - using renewable energy to produce hydrogen fuel, was named the winner of RACI's Applied Research and Innovation Award.
Prof. Zhao was recognised for significant contributions to developing new electrochemical materials and methods for clean, sustainable energy.
His work has transformed the hydrogen industry. Through a suite of patented technologies and spinout companies, his electrochemistry research breakthroughs have been translated into sustainable materials to improve the efficiency of water electrolysers for hydrogen production.
He said one of the biggest challenges to the widespread use of green hydrogen is the cost.
"Developing catalysts made from common elements such as nickel and iron that can replace those based on expensive precious metals like platinum and iridium, is key to addressing this grand challenge.
"And by innovating clean energy technologies and enabling scalable, affordable hydrogen production, we're contributing to global decarbonisation and supporting Australia's transition to a net-zero economy," Prof. Zhao said.
His patented 3D-electrode technology is widely regarded as the benchmark by laboratories worldwide and has been adopted broadly by the hydrogen industry for reducing the cost of green hydrogen.
This is the second RACI award Prof. Zhao has taken home in as many years. He won the HG Smith Memorial Award in 2024.
Professor Amanda Ellis, President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, said the 2025 RACI National Awards showcase more than individual excellence. "They celebrate community, diversity and vision. I am deeply proud of each winner whose work advances chemistry and contributes to the greater good," she said. "Their stories are ones we want everyone to know."
Information about RACI and the awards are available on their website .
