Scientist receives international award for desert research

Nov 13, 2006

Professor Gerald Nanson of the University of Wollongong's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, has been awarded the Farouk El Baz award for excellence in desert research.

The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America held in Philadelphia.

The Farouk El Baz Research Award was established in 1999 and is given annually for outstanding work in the field of warm desert research by earth scientists. It is intended to encourage and reward arid-land studies.

Professor Nanson is internationally recognised for his outstanding research on the rivers and dune-fields of the arid Lake Eyre Basin in Central Australia.

The Geological Society of America acknowledged that over a 30-year career, Professor Nanson has provided a special insight into processes of landscape evolution, climate change and hydrology across the Australian arid zone.

Collaborating with colleagues and students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, Professor Nanson has authored more than 90 scientific papers and supervised 15 PhD students since joining the University of Wollongong in 1977.

Professor Jim Bowler (University of Melbourne) concluded in his letter of commendation supporting Professor Nanson’s nomination that “. . . rarely has an international scientist been able to extend his (or her) systematic studies in such detail on a continental scale as has been the example of Gerald Nanson in Australia. His work stands as a hallmark of excellence at both the national and international levels.”

The Society said that the many students and professional colleagues of Professor Nanson from his 30-year career at the University of Wollongong provide testimony to his ability to inspire young and established researchers to excel in their chosen fields of earth science research.