July 25, 2021

Professor Shi Xue Dou wins ICMC Lifetime Achievement Award

Honour recognises ISEM Founding Director’s contribution as a researcher, mentor and leader

Distinguished Professor Shi Xue Dou from the University of Wollongong was honoured at the recent International Cryogenic Materials Commission biannual conference, receiving the ICMC Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was presented to Professor Dou, “in recognition of his studies of high-temperature superconductors, in particular silicon carbide doping of magnesium diboride; for pursuing industrialisation of high temperature superconductor devices; and for extensive training of graduate students and mentoring of postdoctoral fellows”.

“I am grateful for the support, contribution and dedication of many of my former and current colleagues, PhD graduates, collaborators worldwide, and our executives over the last three decades,” Professor Dou said.

“I would not have accomplished my lifelong learning curve or achieved what I have without their support. This award is a recognition of all our Institute’s alumni and of UOW at large.”

The founding Director of the Insitute of Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM), Professor Dou established and led ISEM from 1994 to 2019. Under his leadership, ISEM has become one of the most dynamic, research centres on superconducting and electronic materials and applications, and has earned a global reputation as a leader in the field.  

Professor Dou has been proactive in promoting collaboration with industry, and national and international institutions and has played a pivotal leadship role in the applied superconductivity and energy materials science community.

He has focussed his research on superconductor and energy materials, as well as their applications for commercialisation and industry transformation. His pioneering work in this field has had a significant and sustained impact on both the scientific community and industry.

Among many other awards and honours, Professor Dou was:

• named one of the top five lifetime achievers in physical science in Australia by the Australian Research Magazine in 2020;
• appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 in recognition of his significant contribution and leadership in superconducting and electronic materials to Australia and the world;
• named as a Highly Cited Researcher in Materials Science by Clarivate, Thomson Reuters in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (his publications have attracted 57,500 citations and h-index = 113 based on Scopus database and 69,000 citations and h-factor of 122 from Google Scholars);
• awarded a Life Achievement Award by the Australia-China Science and Technology Association in recognition of his contribution and leadership in superconducting and electronic materials;
• received the Australian Engineering Excellence Award in the highly commended category for his work on superconductor research and applications; and
• presented the Australian Centenary Medal by the Australian Prime Minister in 2003 for his Contributions to Materials Science and Engineering.

Professor Dou has also been a dedicated mentor to many PhD students and early career researchers, with many of those going on to gain prominence in their own right.

He has supervised more than 100 PhD students to completion and more than 60 postdoctoral and visiting fellows, now widely spread in the science, technology, and industry fields across five continents. This group includes a university vice president, a fellow of the Chinese academy, Australian Laureate professor,  four distingushied professors, eight highly cited researchers, more than 40 professors and a number of company CEO, COO and CTOs.

ISEM has educated 230 PhDs to completion and won 70 ARC Fellowships who have widely distributed within five continents and made significant contribution to science and technology and fostered strong links between Australia and more than 100 institutions around the world.