2013 medals and awards of the Geological Society of America

The Geological Society of America will recognize outstanding scientific achievements and distinguished service to the profession at its 2013 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Denver, Colorado, USA. GSA's highest honors, the Penrose Medal, the Arthur L. Day Medal, and the Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal) will be received by Steven M. Stanley of the University of Hawaii, Richard W. Carlson of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and Naomi E. Levin of Johns Hopkins University, respectively.

These awards and other honors will be celebrated at the GSA Annual Meeting; members of the media are cordially invited to attend:

• Awards Presentations: Monday, 28 Oct., noon to 1 p.m.; and
• Reflective Lectures by GSA's Penrose, Day, and Donath medalists: Tuesday, 29 Oct., noon to 1 p.m.

GOLD MEDALISTS

Steven M. Stanley of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, has been named GSA's 2013 Penrose Medalist in recognition of his eminent research in pure geology and for outstanding original contributions that mark a major advance in the science of geology; namely, paleobiology. Nominator Noel James writes that Stanley is "one of the world's pre-eminent paleobiologists who has fundamentally changed the way we think about and interpret the rock record." Nominator Bruce Runnegar says, "Steven Stanley is a leader, a renowned scientist, and a highly creative individual. His trademark is providing a clear explanation for phenomena that have puzzled whole communities for decades."

Richard W. Carlson of the Carnegie Institution of Washington has been awarded the Arthur L. Day Medal for outstanding distinction in contributing to geologic knowledge through the application of physics and chemistry to the solution of geologic problems. Nominator Stan R. Hart writes, "There is hardly any field of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry that Rick has not strongly impacted and this impact has extended to the whole Earth and Planetary Sciences." Nominator Thomas H. Jordan adds, "Rick Carlson is the most scientifically accomplished geochemist of his generation."

Naomi E. Levin of Johns Hopkins University has earned the Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal) and a cash prize of US$10,000 for outstanding achievement in contributing to geologic knowledge through original research that marks a major advance in the earth sciences. Nominator Thure Cerling writes, "Levin has made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the environments of human origins in Africa." Nominator Jonathan G. Wynn notes that Levin's work ethic and "ability to establish constructive working relationships" have "allowed her to make major contributions, and move forward scientific progress in the field of human evolution, in ways that would have otherwise not been thought possible."

OTHER TOP GSA AWARDS

Provided by Geological Society of America