Dr. Samuel N. Luoma Receives 2004 Presidential Rank Award

Dr. Samuel N. Luoma

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Samuel N. Luoma received a 2004 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Senior Professional. Each year the President recognizes and celebrates a small group of high-performing senior career employees with a Presidential Rank Award. Dr. Luoma's research focuses on the effects of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems. He has made major contributions to the fields of environmental toxicology and ecology through his research on exposure pathways of aquatic organisms to metals. His work on the fate of selenium in the San Francisco Bay led to the development of water-quality criteria for selenium discharges into the Bay. The California Secretary of Resources cited Luoma's work with stakeholders in the San Francisco Bay area as a prime example of using science to "smooth the waters" of a controversial environmental issue and as a source for promoting a constructive discussion on the state-of-the-science. Starting in 2000, Dr. Luoma served for four years as the first Lead Scientist for the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, an innovative program of environmental restoration covering over 40 percent of California's watersheds and applied scientific studies to address water management issues for 60 percent of California's public water supply. Dr. Luoma has also been awarded the 2003-2004 J. William Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award.

More Information

• Presidential Rank Awards
• USGS Scientist Dr. Samuel N. Luoma Receives Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award
• Ecology and Contaminants, Information on investigations led by Dr. Luoma
• Availability of Trace Elements in Sediments to Aquatic Organisms, USGS National Research Program
• Varied Human Influences on Estuaries, San Francisco Bay, California, USGS Toxics Program
• Access USGS -- San Francisco Bay and Delta
• FAQ - What awards have Toxic Substances Hydrology Program scientists received?

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