Dr Justin Chalker, Senior Lecturer in Synthetic Chemistry, has been nominated for the 2017 Dream Chemistry Award by the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague).

The Award is unique in that it recognises boldness of ideas in science to solve significant global problems.

Dr Chalker is one of five international finalists in the running for this unique prize, which will be announced in Prague on 4 December.

His entry, ‘Ending Mercury Pollution from Artisanal Gold Mining’, was deemed by IOCB Prague to be a chemistry project of exceptional originality.

Dr Chalker’s submission incorporates his continuing work at the Chalker Research Lab at Flinders to develop a renewable polymer than can remove mercury from water and soil.

The winner of the 2017 Dream Chemistry Award will receive 10,000 euros.

Following the award presentation in the Czech Republic, Dr Chalker ­will travel New Zealand to deliver a guest presentation at the inaugural Green Chemistry New Zealand Conference in Auckland on 8-9 December.

Dr Chalker is a past Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year for South Australia.

More information about his work in addressing mercury pollution is available in the blog, Cooking up new ways to clean up our planet.