The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
First Award presented posthumously to Devra Kleiman in 2014 at the AZA Annual Conference in Orlando.
In March 2014, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) established an award to recognize outstanding scientific research contributions to the field(s) of animal management, education, and/or conservation within the AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community. This award, named for its first recipient Devra Kleiman, honors an individual’s long-term commitment to using science-based research and mentoring others to advance the zoo and aquarium profession. Only one recipient can be honored in any given year, and since the award criteria are lofty, it is anticipated that the award will not be given every year. Nominations for 2020 are due by June 1.
Devra Kleiman Award Nomination Guidelines
- 2019 Honoree: Robert Lacy, Ph.D., Senior Conservation Scientist Emeritus, Chicago Zoological Society
- 2018 Honoree: posthumously to Michael Hutchins, Ph.D.
- 2017 Honoree: Kathy Carlstead, Ph.D.
- 2016 Honoree: Jonathan D. Ballou, Ph.D., Research Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution
- 2015 Honoree: Cheryl S. Asa, Ph.D., Director of Research, Saint Louis Zoo
- First Award presented posthumously to Devra Kleiman in 2014 at the AZA Annual Conference in Orlando