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Long-standing, former Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) lead researcher, Professor Eric Wolanski, has been selected for one of academia’s highest honours.

He will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, in recognition of his exceptional and outstanding contribution to the field of estuarine ecohydrology.

AIMS Chief Executive Officer, John Gunn congratulated Prof. Wolanski on this prestigious occasion, citing almost 30 years of seminal research conducted at AIMS: ‘Eric’s comprehensive studies in tropical coastal oceanography and its biological implications for mangroves and coral reefs, have been instrumental. We are so pleased to celebrate this great achievement with him.’

Professor Eric Wolanski (seen here in blue) deploying a current meter mooring in the Fly River estuary in Papua New Gunea in the late 1990's (Image: Supplied)

A lead researcher at AIMS from 1978 through to 2007, Prof. Wolanski’s research focuses on the interaction between physical and biological processes to determine ecosystem health in estuaries, coastal wetlands and coral reefs.

Prof. Wolanski has been extremely successful and prolific in his area of research: he has produced 390 publications; authored 8 books; is the chief editor of the 12-Volume 2012 Elsevier Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science; is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and the Institution of Engineers Australia (ret.); as well as a member of the ARC College of Experts, the Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF), and the Scientific and Policy Committee of the Japanese government agency Environmental Management of Enclosed Seas (EMECS).

Prof. Wolanski's research while at AIMS focussed on tropical coastal oceanography an its implications for mangrove and coral reef ecosystems. Image: Simon Spagnol

He has also previously been awarded an Australian Centenary medal, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Estuarine Coastal Sciences Association.

Prof. Wolanski’s Honorary Doctorate will be conferred on the morning of January 20th, 2017 at the University’s Hull Hall, as part of the annual winter graduation ceremonies.