In 1996, the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry established the honorary title of Geochemistry Fellow, to be bestowed upon outstanding scientists who have, over some years, made a major contribution to the field of geochemistry. Recipients of the Goldschmidt, Patterson, EAG Science Innovation, Treibs, and Urey Awards become Fellows automatically.
Scientific excellence is a core value of both the Geochemical Society and European Association of Geochemistry, and it is our privilege, by rewarding it, to take a leading role in its definition. In awarding Geochemistry Fellows, our societies believe it is important to recognize the broad spectrum of scientific achievements that advance geochemistry. Excellence should not be limited to major discoveries and ideas that change paradigms, and not solely evaluated on the basis of the number of papers published in high-impact journals; the nominee's h-index and previously obtained distinctions; nor the amount of funding acquired. Instead, we recognize that scientific eminence, achievement, and impact also encompass sustained and proven contributions that create a dynamic environment essential for scientific progress.
Examples of these include:
- improvements to infrastructure and techniques;
- capacity building-especially in developing countries or emerging disciplines;
- curation of sample collections and databases of long-term scientific significance;
- exceptional editorial contributions;
- communication of the intrinsic excitement of our field to the general public;
- work with policy makers to ensure that their decisions are grounded in rigorous science;
- training the next generation of geochemists;
- and advancing ethics, inclusiveness, and social justice in science.
By recognizing the full diversity of the geochemical community and its many varied contributions we hope to provide a wide range of examples that young scientists can strive to emulate. The societies will accept nominations for the 2026 Fellows until October 30, 2025.
The Geochemical Society and European Association of Geochemistry are pleased to announce the 2025 Geochemistry Fellows
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Sarah-Jane Barnes -
Michael Bau -
Ian Henry Campbell -
Allan Devol -
Timothy Eglinton -
Ellen C. Hopmans -
Dmitri Ionov -
Balz Samuel Kamber -
Hodaka Kawahata -
Carsten Münker -
Martin Reich -
Sara S. Russell -
Maria Schönbächler -
Avner Vengosh -
Christina Yan Wang -
Marjorie Wilson
Sarah-Jane Barnes
Sarah-Jane Barnes has made outstanding contributions to geochemistry. She was the leader of a large research group and a renowned analytic lab, published over 100 papers which were cited over 10,000 times. She held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair from 2013-2017 and led several international research initiatives.
Michael Bau
For more than 30 years, Michael Bau's scientific contributions have laid the foundation to numerous applications of trace element geochemistry to address biogeochemical questions related to both the modern world and Early Earth. Michael has provided a fundamental understanding of rare earth element geochemistry which he expanded to include yttrium, and hence turn from REE to REY geochemistry. Moreover, with his studies of a wide range of geological, hydrological, and biological materials he triggered the field of environmental geochemistry of critical metals. Michael has served as a councillor and board member of the EAG and the DMG.
Ian Henry Campbell
Ian Campbell's pioneering research has revolutionized geochemistry, clarifying mantle plumes' role in large igneous provinces, surface volcanism, and extinctions. His work in ore deposit geochemistry, magma chamber dynamics, and isotopic methods has profoundly advanced understanding of resource formation and continental crust evolution.
Allan Devol
Allan Devol is recognized for his outstanding contributions in marine biogeochemistry, especially elemental cycling in low oxygen water and sediment environments, for his generosity and leadership in mentoring and training the next generation of geochemists, and his commitment to excellence and equity in building community science infrastructure.
Timothy Eglinton
Timothy Eglinton is recognized for his achievements in compound-specific radiocarbon analysis and other areas, which have transformed the field of organic geochemistry and also had a profound impact on various scientific disciplines.
Ellen C. Hopmans
Ellen Hopmans has made significant contributions to organic geochemistry, particularly through pioneering analytical advances. She introduced liquid chromatography, enabling the detection of membrane-spanning lipids like GDGTs, revolutionizing paleoclimate research with the TEX86 proxy. Additionally, her teaching and mentoring have inspired and empowered the next generation of organic geochemists, especially women.
Dmitri Ionov
Dmitri Ionov is recognized for his contributions to our understanding of the compositional variability of Earth's interior and the processes that determine that variability, along with his expertise in collecting and identifying samples best suited to additional studies and his willingness to provide these samples openly to the broad geochemical and geophysical community.
Balz Samuel Kamber
Balz Kamber had made profound, diverse and paradigm-shifting contributions across multiple fields of geochemistry. These include the nature and evolution of Earth's earliest lithosphere, the use of REE contents in microbial carbonates as palaeo-redox proxies, employing mineral aerosols to track dust provenance, and key aspects of fundamental geochemical cycles. Balz' research, while academic in nature, often has a strong societal component involving interactions with policy makers concerning water resource management, mineral exploration and environmental clean-up. In addition to these accomplishments Balz is also an extremely generous scientist, always willing to share his ideas, sample collections and his time with present and upcoming generations of geochemists.
Hodaka Kawahata
Hodaka Kawahata is a chemical oceanographer and paleoceanographer who conducted experimental research in both the laboratory and field, and has supervised more than 20 PhD students. He is fair, has a high awareness of diversity issues, and has served as president of the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) and the Geochemical Society of Japan.
Carsten Münker
Carsten Münker developed and improved analytical methods for high-precision measurements of isotope compositions and element abundances. These led to innovative and groundbreaking studies on the history of the solar system and the evolution of a differentiated Earth.
Martin Reich
Martin Reich is renowned for his innovative contributions to geochemistry, advancing the understanding of planetary-scale processes that control the formation of mineral resources, elemental and isotopic cycles, and their link to global climate change. His work spans macro-scale geological processes to atomic and nanoscale fluid-mineral interactions, offering profound insights into ore-forming mechanisms. His research bridges large-scale geological phenomena with nanoscale processes that shape ore deposits over millions of years. Beyond research, he has profoundly influenced education and mentorship, guiding over twenty graduate students and seven postdocs from diverse nationalities. His commitment to fostering international collaboration has given students valuable exposure to South America's geological diversity.
Sara S. Russell
Sara Russell is a leader in cosmochemistry and planetary sciences through her detailed insights of meteorites and sample return mission materials. She is a generous colleague to many scientists and devotes considerable time as a journal editor and workshop organizer. She is a highly effective science communicator and role model and has supervised or co-supervised 19 doctoral students.
Maria Schönbächler
Maria Schönbächler is a pioneer in the modern era of isotope cosmochemistry. Her development and application of the analytical techniques needed to resolve isotopic variability in meteorites caused by nucleosynthetic variability, short-lived radionuclides, and cosmic rays have dramatically advanced our understanding of the processes operating in the early solar system.
Avner Vengosh
Avner Vengosh is recognized for his work evaluating the impact of conventional and nonconventional energy development on environmental geochemistry, especially of water resources. His work has influenced both science and public policy in areas such as the water quality effects of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas production and coal combustion residuals.
Christina Yan Wang
Christina Yan Wang has made major contributions in igneous petrology and geochemistry of mafic-ultramafic rocks and economic geology of magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide deposits and Fe-Ti oxide deposits. She has consistently demonstrated her dedication to the international geochemical community through her exceptional editorial contributions to academic journals and her invaluable mentorship of the next generations.
Marjorie Wilson
Marjorie Wilson's works have led to fundamental insights into the petrological evolution of continental and oceanic magmatism and the magma dynamics during her over 45 years efforts, which are widely cited and very highly regarded throughout the magmatic community. She has been the executive editor of Journal of Petrology since 1994.