Thomas W. Healy, Professor of Physical Chemistry at The University of Melbourne is a scientist of international leadership in surface and colloid science. His many contributions to basic science gained him Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science in 1983.

His basic science has always been linked to technology in the the minerals, materials and chemicals industries in Australia and world wide. He has made central contributions to the froth flotation process, the durability of titanium dioxide pigments, the formulation of industrial surfactants, the treatment of waste water and to areas of polymer and particulate processing.

His on-going twenty years collaboration with Tioxide Australia was formally acknowledged in 1989 and he has served the LC.I. (U.K.) Main Board as their Colloid Science Strategy Board consultant for the past ten years. His science continues to be directed to enabling value to be added to Australian mineral products through his appointment from 1 January, 1991 as Director, Advanced Mineral Products Research Centre, The University of Melbourne.