We are pleased to announce that dr. hab. Marek Szczerba from the Institute of Geological Sciences, PAS is the first recipient of the Maria Turnau-Morawska & Kazimierz Smulikowski Award for his outstanding achievements in studying crystal-chemistry of clay minerals. This award was established by the Committee in 2019. It is named after prof. Maria Turnau-Morawska (1899-1980) and prof. Kazimierz Smulikowski (1900-1987) – two eminent petrographers, who pioneered modern petrology in Poland.