Don Dingwell – BSc (1980) Memorial University of Newfoundland – PhD University of Alberta (1984) – since 2000 Chair in Mineralogy and Petrology – Ludwig Maximilians University Munich 2002-2024 Director – Department of Earth and Environment.  

Ca. 590 papers on geomaterials, magmas and volcanism. His approach is fundamentally experimental and materials-based. His current research spans the structure and dynamics of silicate melts, the mechanistic interpretation of volcano monitoring and magma kinematics and the quantification of the role of volcanism and volcanic ash in the Earth System. 

He holds the Bunsen (EGU), Day (GSA), Hess (AGU), Holmes (EGU), Peacock (MAC), Werner (DMG), Steinmann (DGGV), VIP (GAC) and Miller (RSC) Medals; the Goldschmidt (DMG), Bowen (AGU), Schott, and MSA (MSA) awards, honorary degrees from UCL, Alberta, UNAM, Simon Fraser, Beihang and Bari. 

 He is fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Academia Europaea, acatech, Leopoldina, Royal Society of London, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Academia Mexicana de Ciencias, Chinese Academy of Sciences and TWAS. He holds the Order of Merit of Germany, and the Orders of Canada and Newfoundland/Labrador.  

He was President of the European Geoscience Union and the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth´s Interior, and was Secretary-General of the European Research Council. He is President (pro tem) of the Academia Europaea.