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A boldt from the blue

18 March 2009

Professor Cameron Jones

Professor Cameron Jones has received a Humboldt Research Award.

Professor Jones received the award in recognition of his chemistry research, which involves stabilising reactive compounds with metal elements in very low oxidation states.

Professor Jones said it was a great honour to win the award -- the most prestigious offered to foreigners by the German university system.

"It will allow me to carry out research at the Technical University, Berlin, and the University of Frieburg - two of the best institutions in Germany," Professor Jones said.

"I will also be collaborating with two very successful German chemists, Professor Ingo Krossing and Professor Matthias Driess.

"Through this I will be able to establish long-term partnerships with these and other researchers in the field," Professor Jones said.

Professor Jones said because the Humboldt prize recognised a scientist's lifetime achievements, he owed thanks to his colleagues including past and present PhD students, postdoctoral colleagues and collaborators from across the world.

"I would especially like to thank Professor John F Nixon FRS of Sussex University who was my postdoctoral supervisor and a great inspiration in my early career," Professor Jones said.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation was established in Berlin in 1860 after the death of German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt to provide support for German scientists setting off on research journeys to other countries.

Today the foundation brings 1800 researchers from all over the world to Germany.