Croatian-Australian scientist elected a Fellow of the Royal Society

by croatiaweek
July 20, 2024
in Business

Professor Ivan Marušić at the ceremony in London (Photo: Private album)

Professor Ivan Marušić, a distinguished Croatian-Australian scientist, has recently been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, joining an elite small group of Croatian scientists, including the renowned Ruđer Bošković.

The official induction ceremony took place in London over the past few days, marking a significant milestone in Marušić’s illustrious career.

His work in the field of fluid mechanics has earned him this prestigious honour, celebrating his contributions to science and his place among the world’s leading researchers.

We spoke to to him to learn more.

Can you tell us a bit about your Croatian background and where you grew up?

I was born in Široki Brijeg and emigrated to Australia when I was three years old, along with my parents and older sister.

They made the decision to move in pursuit of a better life for their children, both economically and within a free democracy, away from communism.

I grew up in Melbourne, Australia, which hosts a sizable Croatian émigré community. This allowed me to attend Croatian school on Saturday mornings and play for the local Croatian soccer team.

During my early adult years, I was actively involved in Croatian student associations, campaigning for Croatian independence and the release of prisoners of conscience.

Australia is a wonderful country that has gradually embraced multiculturalism. However, during my upbringing, I strongly identified as Croatian.

My first return visit to Croatia was at the age of 17, when I realized that I belonged neither here nor there, which was quite confronting. Over time, I have come to embrace and celebrate both my Croatian and Australian nationalities.

How has your Croatian heritage influenced your personal and professional life?

My Croatian heritage has profoundly shaped my personal values, particularly in instilling a strong advocacy for human rights.

However, in terms of my professional life, its influence was limited due to my early experiences and exposure. Growing up, my parents, who did not have the opportunity to pursue education beyond elementary school, were determined that their children would attend university, despite not fully comprehending what that meant.

I thoroughly enjoyed my schooling and achieved high grades that secured me admission to the prestigious University of Melbourne, where I enrolled in Mechanical Engineering. I chose this path because the subjects intrigued me, and I was informed that engineering offered ample job opportunities.

During my studies, however, I had the privilege of learning under Professor A.E. Perry, a renowned figure in fluid mechanics.

It was through his inspiring lectures and the captivating world of research that I discovered my passion for this discipline, solidifying my decision to pursue it as my future career.

What does being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society mean to you personally and professionally?

Being elected to the Royal Society is undoubtedly the pinnacle of my career. I am deeply honoured to receive this distinction on multiple levels.

Personally, it holds profound significance, and it also recognizes the invaluable contributions of my colleagues and collaborators, including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and colleagues from around the world with whom I have had the privilege to conduct research.

Professor Ivan Marušić Fellow of the Royal Society

(Photo: Private album)

I also believe that this achievement carries special meaning for Croatians, as it underscores our presence among global leaders in scientific pursuits. In a modest yet meaningful manner, this recognition serves as a celebration of Croatia and its people.

What inspired you to pursue a career in science, and what have been some of the key milestones?

I have always been fascinated by the natural world and driven to understand how things work. This passion led me to pursue a career in scientific research and engineering.

As mentioned earlier, my choice of research field was inspired by captivating lectures and hands-on laboratory experiences.

Some of my significant breakthroughs occurred through experiments conducted in a specialized wind tunnel and within the atmospheric surface layer over the salt flats of the Great Western Desert in Utah.

These experiments were instrumental in developing a physical model that I worked on over many years to provide a unified scaling behavior of these flows, as well as others that develop over various surfaces.

What current projects or research are you most excited about?

My field of research is fluid mechanics, which involves the study of the flow of gasses and liquids. Currently, I am deeply involved in researching turbulent flow, a longstanding challenge in both physics and engineering.

A significant breakthrough in my work has been the discovery of unexpectedly large coherent motions within turbulence near solid surfaces. This finding has fundamentally altered the way these flows are understood and modelled.

Such turbulent flows are prevalent in various applications, including aviation, shipping, and the dynamics of rivers and coastal environments.

Recently, my research has extended into applying our insights into the fundamental physics of turbulence to develop practical technologies for drag reduction.

(Photo: Private album)

How do you see your role evolving now that you are a Fellow of the Royal Society?

Becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) represents a significant opportunity for me to amplify advocacy for science, which I believe is especially crucial in today’s world.

The Royal Society is dedicated to advancing excellence in science and applying scientific knowledge for the betterment of humanity, a mission that deeply resonates with my own values.

While I will continue my research endeavours, which I am passionate about, I also feel a responsibility to contribute to both the research community and society at large.

Currently serving as the Vice-President and Secretary of Physical Sciences at the Australian Academy of Science, being an FRS will undoubtedly enhance my ability to fulfill this role more effectively.

It will provide me with a broader platform to promote scientific excellence and innovation, and to advocate for evidence-based policies that benefit our global community.

You’ll be joining a very small number of elite Croatian scientists in the Royal Society. How do you feel about being part of this distinguished group?

Before my election, I am aware of three Croatians who have been honoured as Fellows of the Royal Society: Ruđer Bosković (1761), Leopold Ružička (1942), and Vladimir Prelog (1962).

Each of them is celebrated as a highly esteemed scientist in their respective fields. Bosković, a renowned polymath, was born in Dubrovnik. Ružička and Prelog, both Croatian Nobel laureates, made significant contributions to chemistry.

Additionally, I am familiar with two other Fellows of the Royal Society who have Croatian heritage: Paško Rakić (2016), an American neuroscientist whose father is Croatian, and Brice Bosnich (2000), an Australian chemist whose parents were born on Korčula.