New Award Recognizes Excellence in Space Weather and Nonlinear Waves and Processes Research

9 December 2011

Joint Release

WASHINGTON, DC—The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has announced the creation of a new award, the Space Weather and Nonlinear Waves and Processes Prize. The biennial award, which recognizes cutting-edge work in the fields of space weather and nonlinear waves and processes, will be presented by AGU’s Space Physics and Aeronomy Section and Nonlinear Geophysics Focus Group. The prize, which is being made possible by a generous contribution from AGU members and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) California Institute of Technology scientists, Bruce Tsurutani and Olga Verkhoglyadova, recognizes an AGU member-scientist and comes with a $10,000 cash award.

“AGU’s mission is to promote discovery in the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity, and we are extremely grateful to Dr. Tsurutani and Dr. Verkhoglyadova,” said Carol Finn, AGU president-elect. “Through their dedication and generosity we are able to recognize the extraordinary contributions of our members and their impact on society.”

Dr. Tsurutani has served as a researcher with JPL since 1972, and is currently a Senior Research Scientist. He was also the president of AGU’s Space Physics and Aeronomy Section from 1990 to 1992, and is a recipient of AGU’s John Adam Fleming Medal, which is given for “for original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy, space physics, and related sciences.” Dr. Verkhoglyadova served as a professor of space physics in the Department of Astrophysics and Space Physics at Kiev University in the Ukraine, prior to coming to the U.S.

Presented on a two-year cycle, the focus areas — Space Weather and Nonlinear Waves and Processes — will alternate for each presentation of the award. The inaugural award will recognize a scientist for his or her work in Space Weather, and will be presented at AGU’s 2013 Fall Meeting. The award presented in 2015 will recognize a scientist for his or her work in Nonlinear Waves and Processes.

“The vital research being done in the areas of space weather and nonlinear waves and processes has all too often gone unrecognized and unrewarded by the scientific community,” said Tsurutani. “I have been an AGU member for nearly 50 years, and I’m honored to be able to give back to the Union that has served me throughout my career. My hope for this award is that by calling attention to the work of these dedicated researchers, their contributions can serve as an inspiration for future generations.”

Details on the award nomination criteria and process can be found on the AGU Web site.

The American Geophysical Union is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization with more than 60,000 members representing over 148 countries.  AGU advances the Earth and space sciences through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. www.agu.org

AGU Contact:
Joan Buhrman, 202-777-7509 (w), 571-213-3812 (c), E-mail: [email protected]