Investigating how the very small can have a very big impact has led to a West Australian researcher winning a prestigious global award for his work.
Curtin University research fellow Dr Denis Fougerouse from the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences was awarded the 2024 Mineralogical Society of America Award, which recognises one emerging researcher each year across the world for their contribution to the field.
Dr Denis Fougerouse from the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Curtin University.
Fougerouse’s recent research has included identifying new areas to find pink diamond deposits, establishing a new framework for dating the formation of the Earth’s continents, and how the sun is a likely source of the Earth’s water.
Fougerouse also discovered why pyrite, commonly known as fool’s gold, isn’t so foolish. He found tiny amounts of gold can be trapped inside it, which would make it much more valuable than its name suggests.
He is now investigating better ways to locate and extract critical minerals such as germanium and cobalt, which are essential in the shift to clean energy.
Fougerouse said his work was to look at minerals on an atomic scale, investigating tiny materials to reveal new details about the Earth.
“The facility at Curtin University is the only in the world dedicated to geoscience research, putting WA on the world map … and that makes it special,” he said.
“I felt amazing to receive the award. I am honoured that my work was recognised by an international committee, and I am very grateful to those who supported my nomination.”
Fougerouse is also heavily involved with several outreach programs, teaching geology to people of all ages living in remote areas and sharing his passion.
Faculty of Science and Engineering Dean of Research Professor Steven Reddy nominated Fougerouse for the award in recognition of his contributions.
MSA Award Committee Chairwoman Professor Astrid Holzheid said Fougerouse’s diverse work had seen him emerge as a global leader in the field.
“[We were] impressed by the originality and high quality of his research, the broad area of geological disciplines covered by him, and the multiple techniques he is applying,” she said.
“Even more, his activities regarding communication to the general public, from kindergarten to grade 12, are outstanding.”
Fougerouse will receive the award in person at the Geological Society of America’s Connects 2024 conference in California next year.
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