Professor Douglas R. MacFarlane holds the prestigious position of Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor at Monash University, where he has established himself as a world leader in electrochemical materials science. He earned his Bachelor of Science with First Class Honors in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington in 1979, followed by a PhD from Purdue University under Professor C. Austen Angell in 1982. After completing postdoctoral research at Victoria University of Wellington, he joined Monash University's School of Chemistry as a Lecturer in late 1983, rising to Professor of Chemistry in 1995 and serving in significant leadership roles including Deputy Dean of Science from 2000-2001 and Head of School from 2003-2006. His distinguished career reflects a profound commitment to advancing both fundamental chemical science and its practical applications for societal benefit.
Professor MacFarlane has made seminal contributions to the discovery and development of ionic liquids, pioneering research that has transformed this field from a scientific curiosity to a cornerstone of sustainable chemical technology. His work has resulted in over 800 publications with more than 80,000 citations and an impressive h-index of 134, establishing him as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher since 2019. He co-authored the authoritative textbook "Fundamentals of Ionic Liquids: From Chemistry to Applications," which has become essential reading for researchers worldwide. His innovative research extends to practical applications in renewable energy, particularly in hydrogen and ammonia production, where his group's work has led to the spin-out of Jupiter Ionics P/L to scale up sustainable ammonia production technology, demonstrating the real-world impact of his scientific vision.
As a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and the Royal Society since 2024, Professor MacFarlane's influence extends across the global scientific community through his leadership in professional organizations and editorial roles. He has received numerous prestigious honors including the David Craig Medal and Lecture in 2018, the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in 2018, the Royal Society of Chemistry's Horizon Prize for Environment, Sustainability and Energy in 2023, and the Max Bredig Award of the Electrochemistry Society in 2024. His current research continues to push boundaries in sustainable energy technologies, with his group maintaining active roles in international scientific governance as evidenced by his membership on the Board of Governors of the International Society for Solid State Ionics and the Scientific Advisory Board of Cap-xx Ltd. Professor MacFarlane's enduring commitment to translating fundamental chemical discoveries into practical solutions for energy challenges positions him at the forefront of the global transition toward sustainable chemical processes and renewable energy systems.
