NESSC-colleague Appy Sluijs, professor of Paleoceanography at Utrecht University, has been awarded the James B. Macelwane medal by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). The medal is given annually to maximally five honorees in recognition for ‘significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by an outstanding early career scientist’.

The James B. Macelwane medal is considered one of the highest honors for young scientists in the field of geological sciences.

The AGU, the world’s largest organization of earth and space scientists, has awarded this year thirty-two individuals in total for their achievements and contributions in science. “Their passion, vision, creativity, and leadership have helped expand scientific understanding, pave the way to new research directions, and made earth and space science accessible, relevant, and inspiring, to audiences across the scientific community and general public,” writes the AGU.

Climate sensitivity
Appy Sluijs is professor of Paleoceanography at the Earth Sciences Department and co-chair of the research group Marine Palynology and Paleoceanography at Utrecht University. At NESSC he leads the research group studying the Earth’s climate sensitivity. Specifically, his research focusses on geological periods that are characterized by high or rapidly increasing concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Four other scientists have also been awarded the James B. Macelwane medal this year. The award ceremony will be held on 14 December at the annual AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco.

The James B. Macelwane medal is awarded by the AGU since 1961 and is named after American seismologist. James B. Macelwane (1883 – 1956). Macelwane served as AGU president from 1953 until his death in 1956.