Boulder, CO -- Dr. Elizabeth Jacqueline Catlos, Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University, is recipient of the Geological Society of America Young Scientist Award for 2006. The Award will be given at the GSA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, at the Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 21 October 2006.
A native of San Mateo, California, Dr. Catlos earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry with specialization in earth science from the University of California – San Diego. She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of California – Los Angeles.
GSA is recognizing Dr. Catlos, a geochemist and mineralogist, for accomplishments beginning with innovative mineralogy research while on a Smithsonian Institution Predoctoral Fellowship in 1997. She now directs an electronic microprobe laboratory and teaches classes in mineralogy and petrology at Oklahoma State. Her other research interests include tectonic evolution of the Himalaya (Nepal and India) and the Menderes Massif (Turkey). Catlos also has a strong secondary interest in planetary science and has served on several Mars-related panels for NASA initiatives.
The Geological Society of America Young Scientist Award recognizes outstanding achievement in contributing to geological knowledge through original research that marks a major advance in the earth sciences. Established in 1988, the Award is given to a scientist age 35 or younger and consists of a gold medal, the Donath Medal, and a cash prize endowed by Dr. and Mrs. Fred A. Donath.
The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with 20,000 members from academia, government, and industry in more than 85 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members, and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, GSA fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.