Associate Professor Julie Cosmidis awarded European Mineralogical Union Research Excellence Medal
Associate Professor Julie Cosmidis has been awarded the distinguished 2025 European Mineralogical Union Research Excellence Medal in recognition of her outstanding scientific achievements.
The European Mineralogical Union is a prominent scientific organisation whose objective is to further European cooperation in the Mineralogical Sciences (mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and their applications). The Research Excellence Medal is presented annually to a young mid-career scientist who has made significant contributions to research in mineralogy, and whose professional and societal activities contribute to strengthening scientific links in Europe.
Since joining Oxford Earth Sciences as an Associate Professor of Geobiology in 2020, Julie has led pioneering research at the intersection of geomicrobiology, mineralogy and environmental geochemistry. Her work explores microbial biomineralization (the process through which microbes produce minerals) and its implications for biosignature detection and sustainable materials. She is Principal Investigator on the ERC-funded BIOFACTS project and has secured multiple major grants, including from Innovate UK and BBSRC, to advance engineered biominerals for clean energy and carbon sequestration. Most recently, Julie joined Oxford EARTH, the University of Oxford’s pioneering research programme dedicated to tackling the pressing challenges of sustainable and equitable natural resource management, as a Co-investigator.
“It was incredibly humbling for me to receive this award, as it made me reflect on how fortunate I've been to be surrounded by wonderful mentors at all stages of my academic career. I'm very grateful for all their support over the years, as well as for the talented students and postdocs I've had the chance to work with.”
- Associate Professor Julie Cosmidis
Alongside her research, Julie contributes actively to college life as a Fellow of Wolfson College and plays a key role in teaching and mentoring within the Department of Earth Sciences as the head of the Oxford Microbe-Mineral Lab. She teaches across the undergraduate course and supervises DPhil students working on topics in geochemistry and geomicrobiology. She also serves as Principal Editor of Geo-Bio Interfaces and sits on the Editorial Board of Geobiology. Committed to public engagement, she has conducted numerous media interviews and contributed to educational books for children.
“We are delighted to hear that Julie has been awarded the 2025 EMU Research Excellence Medal from the European Mineralogical Union. Julie’s research on how microbes produce minerals sits at the interface between biology, chemistry, and geology and has already provided new insights into how carbon and sulphur are preserved in the geological record, and how microbial biominerals may be signatures for early life on Earth and possible life on other planets. Her insights into the mechanisms by which these biominerals are formed is also opening exciting vistas into ‘biologically engineering’ new materials with applications for energy storage and construction materials. Julie’s research links with colleagues in Earth Sciences as well as other departments in Oxford and beyond and we are thrilled that her vision and collegiality is being recognised by the EMU with this award."
- Professor Conall Mac Niocaill, Head of Department
Many congratulations to Julie on this well-deserved honour!
