Prof. David StJohn is an Emeritus Professor at The University of Queensland. His main interests are the solidification and microstructure–property relationships of Al, Mg and Ti alloys and he has published over 350 papers in journals and conference proceedings. He has held appointments in Canada, at RMIT University, and in CRA-Advanced Technical Development in Perth, as well as a long association with UQ. He has made a significant contribution to developing research–industry partnerships—for example, the CAST Cooperative Research Centre, where he was CEO from August 2002 until 2008; the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) in 2008; and the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) at UQ in 2009. After retirement, he continued working with industry partners such as Magontec, Baosteel, Cook Medical and, at present, Bluescope Steel. Funding was also received from the Queensland State Government and the Australian Federal Government for the Advanced Engineering Building (AEB). He was Chair of the Project Control Group for the design and construction of the AEB, completed in 2013. He was awarded the John Campbell Medal in 2014, the Materials Australia Silver Medal in 2011, the American Society of Metals Henry Marion Howe Medal in 2006, and the TMS Magnesium Technology Award in 2003.