This press release is available in German.
In 2011, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) will award the tenth annual Bernd Rendel Prizes to young researchers who, before having achieved their doctorates, have already made significant and inventive contributions to basic research in the geosciences. The four prizewinners, who have earned their Masters degrees but not yet completed their doctorates, will each receive 2000 euros to enable them for example to participate in scientific congresses and conferences. The prizes are funded by the Bernd Rendel Foundation, which is managed by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, and the four prizewinners were selected by a jury from a total of 20 nominations and applications. The Bernd Rendel Prizes will be awarded on 6 September 2011 as part of the Geologische Vereinigung's annual meeting in Munich.
The 2011 prizewinners are:
Geologist Juliane Brust (31), The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Warnemünde
Juliane Brust studies Sahara sand in the depths of the ocean. In her research, she examines the ways in which wave-borne sand particles from the continents affect the bio-productivity of the deep ocean. She reconstructs, for example, changes concerning the regional locations of the deposit zones and the volume of sand deposited there. Scientific projects like these contribute much to our understanding of the complex interplay between climate change, advancing desertification and life in the oceans.
Geographer Max Engel (30), University of Cologne
Max Engel's work runs the gamut from geoarchaeology to paleo-tsunami research. In his diploma thesis, he reconstructed the dynamics of the coastline around the Poseidon sanctuary in Akovitika (Greece). He was then able to use his observations to explain the functions of the sanctuary in around 350 B.C. For his dissertation, he is now focusing on reconstructing paleo-tsunamis on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. This work not only proves the existence of prehistoric tsunamis, but also contributes to regional risk assessment information.
Geologist Daniel Herwartz (32), University of Bonn
Daniel Herwartz' work spans the intersection of geochemistry and palaeontology. As a doctoral researcher, he was the first to demonstrate that certain radiometric dating methods are unreliable for dinosaur bones. In his doctoral project, he is also concerned with radiometric dating methods. In this case, he is using a technique known as Lu-Hf dating in order to distinguish different phases in the formation of the Alps. One of his discoveries has already led to the creation of a new model of the tectonic development of the western Alps.
Geophysicist Katrin Kieling (27), University of Potsdam and German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Potsdam
For her doctorate, Katrin Kieling is focusing on developing a method aimed at helping scientists calculate the expansion of seismic waves more accurately. This will enable earthquakes to be predicted as realistically and quickly as possible, as the strength and variability of tremors is highly relevant in estimating a region's seismic risk level. Improved and more flexible computer stimulations of earthquake scenarios could also be used in early response systems or in risk prevention.
The Bernd Rendel Prize has been awarded since 2002. It commemorates geology student Bernd Rendel, whose relatives established the foundation in his name after he died at an early age. The foundation provides the funding for the prizes each year.
Further Information
Further information on the Bernd Rendel Prize, as well as on this year's prizewinners, is available online at: www.dfg.de/en/funded_projects/prizewinners/rendel_prize/index.html
The contact person for the Bernd Rendel Prize at the DFG's Head Office is Dr. Birgit Scheibner-Münker, from the Physics, Mathematics and Geosciences Department (Tel. +49 228 885-2328, e-mail Birgit.Scheibner-Muenker@dfg.de)