Awards

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Cynthia Garrels

Robert M. Garrels (1916-1988) was a pioneer of geochemistry and a strong proponent of recognizing and investigating the role of the biota in Earth surface processes. Although best known for his contributions to understanding and modelling the global cycles of the elements, he made seminal contributions to the fields of economic geology and aqueous geochemistry and demonstrated how Eh-pH and activity-activity diagrams could concisely characterize the stability of minerals and solutes in laboratory and natural settings. Forever young, he thrived on the enthusiasm and fresh ideas of students and early-career scientists and was always willing to exchange a game of tennis or ping pong for an intense discussion of scientific ideas.

The Robert M. Garrels Award will be presented in his honour to a senior scientist for sustained and distinguished achievements in geobiology, consisting of a series of publications that have had a major influence on the field. The award will normally be given biennially at the Geobiology Society Conference.

Recipients:
2017 - Lee Kump (Pennsylvania State University)
2019 - Susan Brantley (Pennsylvania State University)

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Jan Beveridge

Terrance J. Beveridge (1945-2007) was one of the founding fathers of Geomicrobiology. His larger than life love for science and discovery brought together microbiology, geology chemistry, physics and medicine. His pioneering research on metal ions and bacterial surface reactivity opened the door to research on the role of bacteria in geochemical cycling and on the origin of life on Earth. He was also a renaissance man with a passion for music, food, wine, and everything else good in life. His laughter and amazing ability to listen will always be remembered.

The Terry J. Beveridge Award will be presented in his honour to a mid-career scientist(s) for significant achievements in geobiology. The award will normally be given biennially at the Geobiology Society Conference.

Recipients:
2017 - Sara Pruss (Smith College)
2019 - Andreas Kappler (University of Tuebingen)
2019 - Dianne Newman (California Institute of Technology)

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Teresa Pemberton

George Pemberton (1948-2018) is one of the founding fathers of applied ichnology. His interdisciplinary approach integrated trace fossils with sedimentological as well as stratigraphic principles that implicitly recognized the impact of biology on the stratigraphic record. George's integrative efforts were amongst the first to show that in establishing an understanding of the sedimentology, stratigraphy and biology of the stratigraphic record the whole became greater than the sum of the parts. He is also well known for his prolific mentorship record that includes the supervision of over eighty graduate students. George took great pride in his role supervising impressionable young geologic minds and always encouraged his students to critically and creatively think about complex problems. His kind-hearted nature, robust laugh, and infamous stories will always be remembered.

The S. George Pemberton Award will be presented in his honour to an early career scientist(s) for significant achievements in geobiology. The award will normally be given biennially at the Geobiology Society Conference.

Recipients:
2019 - Noah Planavsky (Yale University)
2019 - Kelly Wrighton (Colorado State University)