During the 18th International Conference on Water-Rock Interaction (WRI-18) held in Cagliari, Italy, from June 16 to 21, Wang Yanxin, Academician of Chinese Academy of Science and professor at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) was awarded the Vernadsky Medal, the highest honor of the International Association of Geochemistry (IAGC), in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to the field of hydrogeochemistry.

Academician Wang Yanxin is the first Asian scientist to receive this prestigious award since its inception. He graduated in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology from Nanjing University. Elisa Sacchi, the president of the International Association of Geochemistry, emphasized in her award speech that Wang Yanxin's pioneering research on the genesis of poor-quality groundwater has had a significant global impact, and is of great importance for ensuring water security and public health. She pointed out that this award also recognizes Wang Yanxin's visionary leadership in the field of higher education in geosciences and his dedicated mentorship of young scholars, exemplifying a career of excellence, innovation, and global influence.

The International Association of Geochemistry (IAGC), established in 1967 and affiliated with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), is a premier international academic organization in the field of geochemistry. The Vernadsky Medal, established by the IAGC in 2007, commemorates one of the founders of geochemistry, Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky (1863-1945). It is awarded biennially to outstanding scholars in the global field of geochemistry, and to date, ten scholars have been honored with this award.