GIBS awards the “George Deacon Medal” in honor and memory of Sir. George Deacon. He founded the British Oceanographic Institute and also led the Discovery Antarctic Expedition. Deacon also authored the volume that described the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. This medal recognizes a scientist who has contributed significantly in his or her life to bridge two disciplines of science. Recipients of the medals thus far are:

1. Prof. Leonard Pietrafessa (North Carolina State University –for bridging physical oceanography with biology)

2. Prof. Jarl-Ove Stromberg of Sweden

3. Prof. Robert Y. George (North Carolina) for their joint research in Antarctic Krill studies and conservation marine environment against human exploitation’s

4. Prof. Edward O. Wilson (Harvard University) for bridging science and society

5. Prof. Torben Wolff (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) for his outstanding work to bridge public awareness and ocean explorations. Torben Wolff was the deputy leader of the “Around the world Danish Galathea Expedition” (1952-54). Photo below shows Dr. Wollf with the GIBS Deacon medal around his neck when he received it from GIBS President Prof. Robert George in Coos Bay, Oregon during the 2003 Deep-Sea Biology International Conference.

GIBS awards the ‘Donald McAllister Medal” in recognition and memory of Dr. Don McAllister of Ottawa, Canada who edited the “SEAWIND” magazine as a model marine conservation symbol. Don Mc Allister worked on marine biogenic structures such as coral reefs with a thrust on fishes associated with these submarine features. His devotion to help such work in developing nations is well-known. The GIBS McAllister medal is awarded to any marine scientist who made exemplary contribution to the conservation of biogenic structures in the world oceans. The first Donald McAllister medal was awarded to Prof. Martin Willison of the Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada who graciously hosted the first International Deep-Sea Coral Symposium in 2000. His work on cold coral biogenic structures as fish habitat off Nova Scotia is well known. Dr. Peter Rubec of the Florida Marine Research Institute at St. Petersburg (a former Associate of Don McAllister) presented the GIBS Mc Allister Medal in 2004 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Seattle. Photo below shows Dr.Elliott Norse, President of Marine Conservation Biology Institute in Redmond, WA presenting the Medal certificate to Dr. Willison Whilte, Bob George and Pete Rubec watching on the stadium.

GIBS awards “Robert Avent Medal”: in honor and memory of Dr. Robert Avent who founded the deep-sea biology program with the submersible Johnson Sea-Link at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, Florida. Robert spent 25 years with the MMS (Mineral Management Service) office in New Orleans and devoted his work to study the Gulf of Mexico deep-sea environment where oil and gas explorations are in progress for many years. Robert discovered the Oculina Reefs off the central Atlantic coast of Florida. Dr. Avent died prematurely due to lung cancer at the age of 60 and at the peak f his professional career. The first
GIBS Avent medal will be awarded during the upcoming International Deep-sea Coral Symposium in Miami (Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, 2005). Photo below shows Dr. Avent entering the Joshnson Sea-Link during one of his dives over the Oculina Reefs off Florida.

6. Prof. Hjalmar Thiel, University of Hamburg, Germany was awarded the Sir George Deacon Medal in recognition of his role in bridging deep-ocean benthic ecology and marine conservation science. The Deacon Medal was presented during the 11 the International Deep-sea Biology Symposium (July 11, 2006) in Southampton UK. (See Article by Prof. Robert Y. George in the Sept. 2006 History of Science Newsletter No. 18: 25 –30 for a full description of the medal ceremony.

Photo below shows Ms. Margaret Deacon, presenting the medal to Prof. Thiel while Prof. George is standing close. Another photo shows Dr. George addressing during the medal ceremony the 300 symposium delegates from 32 nations aboard the Warship Warrior in Portsmouth, England.

‘Deacon Medal’ is awarded to an outstanding scholar who has made significant contributions to build bridges between two disciplines. The nominees for award are reviewed by a committee of five members (one from GIBS board of directors, two eminent scientists), one anonymous individual known for interdisciplinary approaches to the future, and Prof. Robert Y. George as chair. We are in the process of revitalizing the Deacon Medal selection criteria to include clear definition of criteria for selection and call for nomination. The guidelines will include the rationale for the award, the types of accomplishments expected in awardees, and the need for anyone who nominates to include a minimum of one-page description of the worthiness of the nominee. The next Deacon medal will be awarded in 2009 and nominations must be sent no later than Dec. 31, 2008 by mail to GIBS, 305 Yorkshire Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina 28409, USA.

Prof. George, GIBS President, addressing symposium delegates during medal ceremony.

Prof. George, Russian deep-sea biologist Dr. Tina Moldsova and Prof. Thiel

GIBS “Robert Avent Medal”

John Reed of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) in Fort Pierce, Florida receiving first “AVENT” Medal during the 3^rd International deep-sea coral symposium in Miami, Dec. 1, 2005. Dr. Tom Ahlfeld (MMS), a colleague of Avent, is on the right side.

GIBS “Robert Avent Medal” was established in honor and memory of late Dr. Robert Avent who worked at HBOI when Johnson Sea Link program started. Avent was at Florida State University for his doctoral program and Dr. George served on his Ph. D. committee. Dr. Avent was the first American scientist who discovered the “Oculina Reefs” (First USA MPA in the offshore). Dr. Avent served in the Mineral Management Services (MMS) of the Interior Department for more than 2 decades. The medal recognizes an eminent marine scientist who combined management and science, with sound original research and exemplary administrative experience.

Dr. William Hogarth, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, received the 2^nd ‘Robert Avent Medal’ during the 2^nd North Carolina Coast: You and your Ecosystems symposium on Dec. 1, 2006 at Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

Photo below shows Dr. Robert George (GIBS) awarding the ‘Avent Medal’ to Dr. Bill Hogarth (NOAA).

Dr. George at the podium and Dr. Hogarth standing with “Avent medal”

“GIBS Frankenberg Medal”

Mrs. Susan Frankenberg. Bob George and Frankenberg medal recipient B. J. Copeland

“GIBS Frankenberg Medal” was established in honor and memory of late Dr. Dirk Frankenberg who directed the UNC-Chapel Hill Marine Science Program and also served as director of Marine Science Institute in Morehead City, North Carolina. Dirk was also division director of the Oceanography Division of US National Science Foundation. The Frankenberg medal is given by GIBS to a North Carolina Scientist who made significant contributions to our knowledge of the natural resources of North Carolina Coast. The first recipient of the Frankenberg medal is Prof. B. J. Copeland who directed the North Carolina Sea Grant College for many years with distinction. Dr. B. J. Copeland is currently vice-chair of the North Carolina Fisheries Commission. Mrs. Susan Frankenberg presented the medal at the North Carolina Fort Fisher Aquarium on Dec. 1, 2006 during the 2^nd North Carolina Coast symposium in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

Bob, Susan and BJ (Frankenberg medalist 2006)

Late Dr. Robert Avent aboard submersible Johnson-Sea Link

All four GIBS medals are selected by four separate committees, with all nominations carefully reviewed and then one individual for each medal selected. GIBS is also contemplating to establish “Robert Avent Endowment for Deep-Sea Biology Research” for a young student to fund his or her doctoral research on any aspect of deep-sea biology. All those interested to make contribution to Avent endowment, please contact Dr. Robert George at georgeryt@cs.com.

MMS OCEANOGRAPHER DR. TOM AHLFELD RECEIVES

THE PRESTIGIOUS GIBS-ROBERT AVENT MEDAL

On March 1-4, 2007 the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology (FAST) held its 2007 annual conference in Panama City, Panama with the UN millennium goals as the central theme. At this international event, 122 scholars form 24 nations participated, including the Nobel laureate Sir Herold Kroto, winner of 1996 Nobel prize in chemistry.

On March 1, 2007 the George Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (GIBS) conducted an international workshop on “Marine Conservation” with eight speakers. Dr. Tom Ahlfeld of Mineral Management Services (MMS) of the US Interior Department was one of the speakers. Dr. Robert Y. George, President of GIBS, recognized Dr. Ahlfeld (Ph. D., Florida State University) for his dedicated work on conservation of chemosynthetic ecosystems and the deep-sea coral Lophelia reef ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Ahlfeld was awarded the 3^rd Robert Avent Medal with standing ovation from the audience (see photos).

The Robert Avent Medal was founded by the board of directors of GIBS in memory of the late Dr. Robert Avent (Ph. D., Florida State University) with solemn recognition of his outstanding research contributions on cold coral ecology (Oculina reefs off Florida) and dedicated service to MMS for 27 years, with focus on conservation of deep-water ecosystems in conjunction with oil and gas drilling and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico. The first ‘Avent Medal’ was awarded during the 2005 International Deep-Sea Coral Symposium in Miami to Dr. John Reed of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, Florida. The second ‘Avent Medal’. was presented by GIBS to Dr. William Hogarth, Assistant Secretary of NOAA for marine fisheries during the 2006 North Carolina Coastal Ecosystems Symposium at Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Dr. Tom Ahlfeld of MMS now joins the ranks of these two prominent American Oceanographers in accepting the 3^rd ‘Avent Medal’.

Congratulations.

Robert Y. George Ph. D.

President and CEO of George Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability