Two University of Melbourne researchers elected to the Australian Academy of Science
University of Melbourne scientists Professor Deli Chen and Professor Michael Stumpf are among 26 of Australia’s top scientific minds, newly elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science.
Professor Chen and Professor Stumpf are being honoured for their outstanding contributions to soil science and systems biology, respectively.
Left to right: Professor Deli Chen and Professor Michael Stumpf
A Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences and Director of the ARC Research Hub for Smart Fertilisers, Professor Chen is an internationally recognised authority on the efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser use and its impact on global food security, the environment and climate change.
He has developed high efficiency nitrogen fertilisers and formulated strategies that have increased crop productivity, while minimising greenhouse gas emissions from crop and livestock systems. These innovations have been taken up by industry and governments worldwide.
“It is an honour to be elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science,” Professor Chen said.
“This recognition reflects the efforts of many collaborators in Australia and internationally – it’s a privilege to contribute to advancing sustainable agriculture and improving global food security.”
Professor Stumpf is an ARC Laureate Fellow in the School of BioSciences and Co-Founder/Chief Scientific Officer of Cell Bauhaus.
Professor Stumpf is internationally recognised for ground-breaking contributions to the theory of living systems. His interdisciplinary approach bridges biology, mathematics and data science. He has created mathematical, statistical and computational foundations that have enabled a deeper understanding of cellular behaviour.
“Being elected is a great honour and I am deeply indebted to the many excellent scientists and engineers who have worked with me over the years and across continents,” Professor Stumpf said.
“I hope this inspires further multidisciplinary collaborations between biology and the physical and mathematical sciences to deepen our understanding of cellular behaviour and complexity, and to translate our research to solve real-world problems in biotechnology and healthcare.”
University of Melbourne Dean of Science Professor Moira O’Bryan congratulated the professors on their outstanding achievements.
“Professor Chen and Professor Stumpf’s research addresses some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from sustainable agriculture and food security to understanding the fundamental workings of life at the cellular level. I congratulate them both on this well-deserved recognition of their global impact,” Professor O’Bryan said.
Established more than 70 years ago, the Australian Academy of Science is a Fellowship of the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for outstanding research that has pushed back the frontiers of knowledge.