The highest distinction of the Geological Society of London, the esteemed Wollaston Medal, has been awarded to University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar, a renowned geochemist from the Department of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science.
The society was founded in 1807 and is the oldest geological society in the world. The medal has been awarded since 1831 in recognition of the significance of geoscientific research in either or both pure and applied aspects.
“The Geological Society of London was the crucible in which so many of the founding principles of geological sciences arose,” says Sherwood Lollar. “These principles laid the foundation for how scientists observe, investigate and understand the planet.
“It is an immense thrill to receive the Wollaston Medal and an honour to contribute to a community that has persevered throughout history in pursuit of an understanding of the Earth driven by facts, by hypothesis testing and by the rigorous application of reasoning, thereby establishing a strong foundation for public policy and action.”
“It’s incredibly gratifying to see Professor Sherwood Lollar continue to garner accolades for her remarkable career,” say Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Especially an honour like the Wollaston Medal — a distinction bestowed on scientists no less prominent than pioneering geologist Charles Lyell, Charles Darwin and U of T’s own John Tuzo Wilson. I’m thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations.”
Sherwood Lollar is renowned for her research on ancient waters and the deep subsurface biosphere, with over 200 published peer-reviewed scientific papers. She pioneered the development of Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA), identifying a new natural isotope tracer of unparalleled sensitivity to investigate the clean-up of hydrocarbon contaminants in the environment, and quantify the microbial and chemical transformation of groundwater contaminants, which has had a considerable impact on the field of drinking water remediation globally.
Her work has contributed to the evaluation of deep geologic repositories’ potential for disposal of low- and high-level nuclear waste and storage of atmospheric carbon, as well as identifying new areas of hydrogen-rich rock with potential to contribute clean energy alternatives. Moreover, her discoveries around habitability of groundwaters in the Earth’s deep subsurface are driving insights into mission planning for Mars, Enceladus and Europa.
A graduate of Harvard, Waterloo and Cambridge universities, Sherwood Lollar holds the Dr. Norman Keevil Chair in Ore Deposits Geology. Among many honours, she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, International Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), International Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Companion of the Order of Canada, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
With files from the Geological Society of London.