On 29 October 2019 three students were awarded prizes at a Departmental reception.

John S Archer Award

The John S Archer Award is for research excellence in petroleum geoscience and engineering and is awarded to a PhD student in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering who has demonstrated excellence. The first award was made in October of 2009. The John S Archer Endowment Fund was established by a group of his former PhD students in honour of Prof Archer, former Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Dean of the Royal School of Mines. Professor Archer was a much-respected member of the Royal School of Mines, and became Head of Department and Dean of the Royal School of Mines. He is remembered as a magnificent, generous and kind individual, which is why his students set up the scholarship in his name.

The winner of the 2019 John S Archer Award is Felipe Huerta Perez, who was presented with a certificate and will receive £5,000. Felipe’s PhD project is about modelling the weathering of liquefied natural gas (LNG) stored in small tanks. The aim is to develop theoretical and numerical models to predict accurately the spatial and temporal evolution of engineering relevant variables, such as the composition, temperature, pressure, density and heating values of both LNG and its vapour during their storage. Professor Vesovic, Felipe’s supervisor, recognises Felipe’s talent and the significant progress made in the first two years of his PhD, including publishing research in the journal Energy. Felipe has already built sufficient expertise in the field of LNG weathering to be considered an expert.

I will take care of it, do not worry Prof John Archer, who always supported his students

Dr Ivor Ellul, one of the group of ten who established the John S Archer Fund, presented the award. Dr Ellul said that the John S Archer Fund was set up in recognition of the way that John helped and supported so many students, and hopes this award allows more students to benefit from the memory of the wonderful individual that was John Archer.

You can listen to a short interview with Dr Ivor Ellul about Professor Archer, the prize, and his time as a student at Imperial College London.

Janet Watson Prize

The annual Janet Watson Memorial Prize rewards a PhD student for research excellence and good citizenship in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering. Professor Janet Watson (pictured left) was a British geologist, the first woman to be President of the Geological Society of London, and an alumnus of Imperial College London.

The nominations of postgraduates for the Janet Watson Memorial Prizes shows the diversity of research in the department, from geology and geochemistry, to modelling and minerals processing, with applications in a range of industries. Their impressive contributions to the department include developing outreach, leading sessions for widening participation schools, coordinating departmental events and supporting teaching.

The winner of the 2019 Janet Watson Prize for research is Victoria Milanez Fernandes, whose PhD research is on continental topographic evolution. Her research represents a step-change in understanding in this field, published in JGR Earth Surface.

The winner of the 2019 Janet Watson Prize for citizenship is Dr Isobel Mackay, who recently completed a PhD on enhanced mineral flotation. Isobel’s contribution to the department included developing new outreach activities, supporting the Department at events, and overseeing public engagement activities, while maintaining excellence as a PHD student.

The Janet Watson Prize winners were presented with a certificate and will each receive £1,000.

Congratulations to our winners, to all candidates and thanks to their nominators for drawing attention to the students’ excellent research and good citizenship of the Department.

The Department of Earth Science and Engineering is very grateful for the support from our alumni who attended the evening and who established the John S Archer Fund.