2023 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year

Professor Chris Greening 

Monash University’s Professor Chris Greening received the 2023 Frank Fenner Prize of Life Scientist of the Year. 

Professor Greening has redefined life through his world-first discovery that microbes live on air. 

Most people have little understanding of microbes and think of them mainly as pathogens. However, most microbes are beneficial for humanity. Chris’s work showed that atmospherically-powered microbes are highly abundant and active throughout soils and waters. 

Chris discovered that microbes’ help regulate climate change and air pollution. Microbes remove 350 million tonnes of gases such as carbon monoxide from the atmosphere each year. 

Chris is now a Chief Investigator of Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF). He uses his discoveries to understand climate responses and inform conservation efforts in Antarctica.

Watch video highlights

Back to Top