Justin Sheffield Receives the Plinius Medal from the European Geosciences Union

Oct. 22, 2012

The department is pleased to announce that Justin Sheffield is the recipient of the 2013 Plinius Medal from the European Geosciences Union (EGU) for his research on drought.

This medal was established by the EGU Natural Hazards (NH) Division to recognize interdisciplinary natural hazard research.  The name of Gaius Plinius Secundus (~23 - 79 A.D.) acknowledges the role of our ancestors working to improve both knowledge and mitigation of natural hazards.  From 2002-2003 (EGS) and 2004-2011 (EGU) the Plinius medal was awarded to young scientists.  Since 2012 the Plinius medal is devoted to recognize interdisciplinary research in natural hazards by mid-career scientists.  The Plinius medal is awarded to outstanding mid-career scientists who meet the following criteria: (a) outstanding research achievements in fields related with natural hazards, (b) important interdisciplinary activity in two or more fields related with this topic, and (c) research that has been applied in the mitigation of risks from natural hazards.

In addition, Gabriele Villarini, former postdoctoral research associate working with Jim Smith, and now Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, will receive the Outstanding Young Scientist Award in Hydrological Sciences.  The Division Outstanding Young Scientist Award recognizes scientific achievements in the field covered by the related Division, made by a young scientist.

Congratulations to Justin and Gabriele on this honor.