Roger Powell (scientist) facts for kids

Roger Powell, born on June 14, 1949, is a well-known educator and professor from Australia. He was born in Britain. He is now an Emeritus Professor at the University of Melbourne. There, he teaches about geography, Earth, and atmospheric sciences. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

Studying Rocks and Minerals

Roger Powell went to Durham University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. He then studied at the University of Oxford. In 1973, he received his Doctor of Philosophy degree. His research focused on how minerals balance in schist rock. This rock was found near Fort William in Scotland. Stephen W. Richardson was his supervisor for this important work.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Roger Powell has received many important awards for his work.

Fellow of the Royal Society

In 2015, Roger Powell was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists. His nomination explained why he was chosen:

Roger Powell has been a leader in studying metamorphic rocks. He created special models for minerals and fluids. He also wrote computer programs to use these models. These programs help scientists understand how different minerals interact. They are some of the most used tools in Earth sciences. He has used these models to learn new things about how rocks form. This includes rocks from the Earth's crust to the deep mantle.

THERMOCALC Software

Roger Powell worked with Timothy Holland from Cambridge University. Together, they created a very useful database for minerals. They also developed a computer program called THERMOCALC. This program helps scientists do calculations on geological materials. The software and database are available on the THERMOCALC website.

Other Important Awards

In 2006, Roger Powell was also chosen as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. This is another major honor.

He has also received these awards:

• The Schlumberger Medal from the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 2007.
• The Norman L. Bowen Award in 2009.
• The first Ringwood Medal from the Geological Society of Australia in 2010.
• The Jaeger Medal from the Australian Academy of Science in 2013.
• The Barrow Award in 2021.