MADISON, WI, October 23, 2008– The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) presented the following 2008 Awards during their Annual Meetings on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
The Lloyd R. Frederick Soil Teaching Travel Award is designed to assist top soil science instructors, so they may have a foreign study travel or sabbatical experience. The program will help support the profession of soil science, encourage international teaching experiences, and benefit countless students of the instructors participating in the program. The awarded is supported by gifts to the Agronomic Science Foundation.
The L.R. Ahuja Ag Systems Modeling Award is presented to an early career soil scientist, agronomist, or crop scientist in recognition of significant contributions. The award is supported by a gift from Dr. Lajpat (Laj) R. Ahuja to the Agronomic Science Foundation.
The award is given to a Ph.D. recipient who has made an outstanding contribution to soil science as evidenced by his or her Ph.D. dissertation. The recipient must have received a Ph.D. degree during the preceding calendar year.
The Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award recognizes mid-career soil scientists who have made outstanding contributions in the area of soil physics. The award is supported by the Lena and Maria Van der Ploeg Fund and the Don and Betty Kirkham Fund, both of the Agronomic Science Foundation.
Palle Pedersen, Iowa State University -- ASA-CSSA-SSSA Early Career Professional Award. Palle Pedersen is an assistant professor and soybean extension agronomist in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University. Dr. Pedersen received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen, Denmark, another M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from University of London, England, and his Ph.D. degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. His programs overall goal is to identify and solve soybean production problems to improve the economic well-being of farmers.
The ASA-CSSA-SSSA award recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution in agronomy, crop science, and/or soil science within seven years of completing their terminal degree.
The Irrometer Professional Certification Service Award recognizes an outstanding certified professional who has demonstrated adherence to the certification goals and personal growth, impact on associates, and the public at large. The award is supported by the Irrometer Company through the Agronomic Science Foundation.
The Soil Science Distinguished Service Award is presented in recognition of outstanding service to soil science. Selection is based on the nominee's contributions during his or her career. Members eligible for the award must have 25 years or more of active membership in the Society and have ceased full-time professional employment.
Michael J. McLaughlin, CSIRO Land & Water -- International Soil Science Award. Michael McLaughlin is Chief Research Scientist and Director of CSIRO Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research in Adelaide, Australia and professor in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide. He has worked in three continents and focuses primarily on soil and environmental chemistry. Dr. McLaughlin looks at the behavior and toxicity of nutrients and contaminants in soil-plant system, the assessment and remediation of contaminated soils, and use of advanced techniques to measure and monitor nutrients and pollutants in the environment.
For more information on the recipients or on the awards presented, please view the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Awards Program PDF online, https://www.acsmeetings.org/2008/files/awards-08.pdf . Photos of the recipients are available to view and download online at: www.soils.org/awards/recipients . For additional assistance, contact Sara Uttech, 608-268-4948, suttech@soils.org .
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive, international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. It provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.
SSSA supports its members by providing quality research-based publications, educational programs, certifications, and science policy initiatives via a Washington, DC, office. For more information, visit www.soils.org .
SSSA is the founding sponsor of an approximately 5,000-square foot exhibition, Dig It! The Secrets of Soil, which opened on July 19, 2008 at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.soils.org/smithsonian .