The Copernicus Medal 2019 will be awarded to Fumio Inagaki for ingenious, pioneering work on the geomicrobiology of ocean floor bacteria, and international leadership in the collaborative study of subsurface seafloor habitats, especially through engagement in scientific ocean drilling projects and the support of the academic exchange of young scientists.

The medal lecture is entitled "Illuminating planetary habitability with scientific ocean drilling – perspectives on the geosphere-biosphere interaction."

Further information about the Copernicus Medal can be found at: https://www.copernicus-gesellschaft.org/medal.html