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Professor John Underhill, Shell Chair of Exploration Geoscience in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS), has been awarded the Lyell Medal by the Geological Society.
The announcement of this award is part of a great year of achievement for the University, and we offer Professor Underhill our congratulations.
Named after Sir Charles Lyell, the Medal was first awarded in 1876 and is their top geological award. It is given to someone who has made a significant contribution to the science by means of a substantial body of research. Workers in both 'pure' and 'applied' aspects of the geological sciences are eligible but normally given for contributions to structural, sedimentological and stratigraphic basin studies.
Professor Underhill is the only University staff member to win the Medal in its 140 year history.
Heriot-Watt University Principal Professor Richard A Williams said, “This is fabulous news and the recognition of Professor Underhill's achievements is well merited.
“The announcement of this award is part of a great year of achievement for the University, and we offer Professor Underhill our congratulations.”
Professor Dorrik Stow, Director of the Institute of Petroleum Engineering (IPE), said, “The announcement of this award, coming only a few days after the presentation of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for the pioneering work of the IPE, is first and foremost a tremendous recognition of John's personal achievements, and it also a reflection of the quality of work undertaken at Heriot-Watt.”
Professor Underhill said, ““I am really honoured to receive this prestigious award from the Society. Moreover, I am absolutely thrilled that the award bears the Lyell name given the historical association between Sir Charles Lyell and Heriot-Watt, as well as and the arrival of the British Geological Survey (Scotland) to create the new Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science & Technology at the University's Edinburgh Campus.”
The medal will be presented to Professor Underhill at the Geological Society's Annual Awards Ceremony in London in June.