A Waikato University chemistry professor whose work in fingerprinting the Rena's oil was of prime importance has been awarded the title Emeritus Professor.

After the Rena struck Astrolabe Reef in October 2011, Alistair Wilkins worked tirelessly to inform the Ministry for the Environment, Maritime New Zealand and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Alister Jones (left) and Emeritus Professor Alistair Wilkins.

He also accommodate requests from the public as well as regional and central government stakeholders about the oil and other contaminants coming from the ship.

'Professor Wilkins' reputation, energy and skills in analytical chemistry were of great importance in securing significant funding for the University to investigate the environmental effects after the grounding of the Rena,” says University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford.

'He is extremely deserving of the title Emeritus Professor.”

Alistair received the honorary title at a function in Hamilton last night.

Professor Wilkins' academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Hons) First Class in Chemistry from the University of Otago in 1968, and a PhD (Organic Chemistry/Natural Products) in 1972, also from Otago.

He came to the University of Waikato in 1975 as a lecturer, and retired a professor in 2013.

In 1972, Professor Wilkins received a Perkin Scholarship for Postdoctoral Research at Oxford University, and in 1977 he received a Nuffield Scholarship for chemical studies (lichens) at the British Museum in London.

He has 203 publications in international referred journals, has supervised 27 doctoral students, and supervised 46 Master of Science students.