Gwidon Stachowiak graduated in 1972 from Poznan University of Technology with a Masters degree in Science and Engineering which was followed by a PhD. In 1981 he obtained a DIC and his second PhD from Imperial College London. In 1984 Professor Stachowiak established the first Tribology Laboratory in Western Australia. Under his leadership, the Tribology Laboratory has become a well-known centre of tribology in Australia, not only through its continuous contributions to academia and industry, but also by educating students and engineers. It supported nationally important industries such as traditional mining and mineral processing and modern medical engineering with the research results of fundamental and applicable tribology. Professor Stachowiak’s initial work focused on the tribological characteristics of advanced structural ceramics developed by CSIRO in Australia. The research outcomes were used to improve the wear resistance of PSZ ceramics, find new industrial applications and give Australia a market advantage. Another important industrial project involved the investigation of fretting problems in wire ropes and the evaluation of novel surface coatings to mitigate wear. Professor Stachowiak and his team developed new angularity parameters for particles and surfaces and found a clear correlation between grits angularity and wear which enabled better design of abrasive surfaces in practical use and facilitated computer simulations of abrasive wear. He further developed numerical methods to characterize wear particles. This was followed by the development of automated wear particle classification methods based on their shape and surface texture. The ability to relate the morphology of wear particles to the severity of wear processes improves the diagnosis of machine condition and failure analysis. Automated classification of wear particles based on their shape and surface texture eliminates the need for experts and further facilitates condition monitoring. The second area of research efforts of Professor Stachowiak and his team has been bio-tribology with a focus on synovial joints, specifically knee joints. He found a direct link between the shape of wear particles in synovial joints and severity of osteoarthritis. This has led to the development of new computer-based image processing and classification methods for trabecular bone textures in X-ray images of the knee joints. Novel image processing methods developed under Professor Stachowiak’s leadership allow not only the detection but, more importantly, the prediction of the onset of osteoarthritis from x-ray images of the joints. Once implemented, the methods assist individual patients and clinicians when designing disease preventative measures/treatments. This has the potential to provide long-term benefits for both individuals and communities across the world who suffer from this disease. It could also have a major impact on devising preventative measures and on accelerated osteoarthritis drug development through early feedback on drug performance. Professor Stachowiak’s research beneficially affected the national economy. Under the auspices of the International Energy Agency, he and his team are working on the development of new methods for the characterization of surfaces with tessellated patterns (textures). As these surfaces promise to reduce friction and hence reduce emissions and fuel consumption in transport and energy generation, this research is of national priority not limited to Australia. Professor Stachowiak has published numerous papers and several books on Tribology. His comprehensive work “Engineering Tribology” describes modern understandings of friction, wear and lubrication. The book is being considered by many to be the best book on the subject and believed to have reached the highest number of editions of any tribology book so far published. It has since been adopted worldwide as a leading textbook in Tribology, contributing to the education of students and engineers across the world. Professor Stachowiak has received many awards and recognitions including the 75th Anniversary Research Award, University of Western Australia (1991), the George Julius Medal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia (1992 and 1996) and Honorary Doctorate from the Ecole Centrale de Lyon (2011). Professor Gwidon Stachowiak is a worthy recipient of the world’s highest honour in tribology – the 2014 Tribology Gold Medal.