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Gene Shinn Wins 2002 Shoemaker Award for Distinguished Achievement in Communications
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Feb. / Mar. 2003 |
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Gene Shinn uses his famous "flushable toilet" model to demonstrate how sewage flushed or injected into shallow disposal wells flows through porous limestone underlying the Florida Keys. Ground-water flow carries the pollutants out to the coral reefs. Gene and his colleagues built this model from a coin bank fitted with a water pump and set on a slab of Key Largo Limestone. It has given viewers in a wide range of settings—from school tours and open houses to Congressional briefings—a memorable illustration of limestone permeability.
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The 2002 Shoemaker Award for Distinguished Achievement in Communications has been awarded to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Gene Shinn (St. Petersburg, FL). Below is the text of the message in which USGS Director Chip Groat informed Gene that he had won the award:
"Congratulations, Gene Shinn! You have been selected to receive the 2002 Eugene M. Shoemaker Award for Distinguished Achievement in Communications. This award is given periodically to honor a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employee or private citizen who combines outstanding scientific ability with great skill in presenting complex scientific concepts to many different audiences. This lifetime-achievement award honors your standing in your professional field and your skill and enthusiasm for conveying science in multiple media. The first winner of this award was Gene Shoemaker in 1998 for his landmark contributions to the geology of the Earth, its Moon, and the Solar System, and his enthusiasm in educating the public and inspiring young students to enter the science field. You are the fourth recipient of this award since its inception.
"I know you are recognized nationally and internationally for your outstanding career in the field of carbonate geology, particularly your work on the effects of African dust on reef ecosystem and organizational health. But you are known as well for your skills as a communicator in presenting scientific results in words and graphics that captivate audiences of all types. Your keen sense of audience needs is key to effectively communicating complex and revolutionary scientific theories to a wide audience, ranging from scientific to nontechnical groups, including Federal agencies, private-sector groups, and the media. You have repeatedly been recognized by the scientific community for your work, appeared in the media as the USGS expert in your field, produced numerous videos and training films for use worldwide, and provided endless research and studies on an array of scientific topics. You epitomize the spirit of the Shoemaker Award for Distinguished Achievement.
"I join with all employees in commending you for your efforts in communicating USGS science and its impact on a changing world. Thank you for a job well done! Formal presentation of this year's award will be held at the annual awards convocation in each regional center in spring 2003."
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Feb. / Mar. 2003
in this issue:
cover story:
Competitive Edge of Invasive Species
Lake Mead Work Continues
Dolphin Rescue
London Interns Tour St. Pete
Congressional Briefing on Gas Hydrates
Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety
Science Mentoring
Coastal Vulnerability
Lidar Data and Technology
International Deep-Sea Corals Workshop
Northeastern Coastal Ecosystems and Resources Workshop
Shinn Wins 2002 Shoemaker Distinguished Achievement Award
Coastal and Marine Scientists Win 2002 Shoemaker Product Excellence Awards
Behrendt and Poag Elected AAAS Fellows
Normark Awarded Keen Medal
A Tribute to Joe Newell
Marine Geophysics Pioneer Honored
Celebrating Careers of Five Retirees
Manheim Lectures on Trends in Scientific and Technological Innovation
San Francisco Bay Earthquake Hazards
Effectivenes of Marine Reserves in Central California
Human Influence on Diatom Productivity and Sedimentation in Chesapeake Bay
Feb. / Mar. Publications List
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U. S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
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