Dear Colleagues,

We would like to announce the winner of the Minerals 2021 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award, which recognises the most highly anticipated academic potential thesis among Ph.D. students and doctors.

The award has been granted to Dr. Núria Pujol-Solà, she completed her Ph.D. at the University of Barcelona in 2021. She investigated the presence of unusual phases in ophiolitic chromitites from Cuba and Morocco. Her report of in situ nanodiamond within methane-rich olivine-hosted fluid inclusions support the idea of diamond metastable growth during low-pressure serpentinization.

On behalf of the evaluation committee, I congratulate the winner on her accomplishments. We would like to thank all the applicants for submitting their diverse and fascinating range of research topics, as well as the Award Committee for helping with this award.

Prof. Dr. Paul Sylvester
Editor-in-Chief, Minerals