Awards Given Where the Selection Occurs Prior to the Biennial Conference

F. G. Wood Memorial Scholarship – This award is given to the student who has submitted the best manuscript accepted for publication in Marine Mammal Science (MMS), the SMM journal.  It is presented in honour of Forest G. Wood, a founder of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, who was noted for his editorial skills.  The MMS journal editorial board selects the winner from among student manuscripts accepted for publication during the interval between Biennial Conferences.  The winner is invited to give an oral presentation during the conference.

John R. Twiss Jr. Award for Innovative Research Related to Marine Mammal Habitat and Ecosystem Conservation – This award is given to the most outstanding student contribution for innovative research related to marine mammal habitat and ecosystem conservation that has been published in Marine Mammal Science (MMS) since the last Biennial Conference.  A Committee of individuals close to John Twiss and knowledgeable about the ecology of marine mammals review manuscripts and select the winner.  The award is to be given for the first time at the 17th Biennial Conference in Cape Town.

Robin Best Memorial Awards – These awards are given in memory of Robin Best, a respected marine mammalogist who concentrated his research on South American species, with a major focus in Brazil.  The awards are presented to the best student presentations given at the South American Specialists in Aquatic Mammals meeting, to stimulate and encourage South American students and young researchers to pursue the study of aquatic mammalogy in South America.  Awards are given for the Best Overall student presentation, the Best Oral presentation and the Best Poster.

Stu Innes Memorial Student Travel Bursary – This award is given to help support travel to the Biennial Conference for a post-secondary (i.e., MS or PhD) student conducting marine mammal research in the Arctic.  This award is presented in honour of Stuart Innes, who was lost with his colleague Malcolm Ramsay on May 21, 2000, when their helicopter crashed near Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada.  Stu was remembered with affection and admiration for his boundless energy and devotion to scientific endeavours in the Arctic, and believed the Biennial Conferences were a good opportunity for young researchers to learn, network, and develop enthusiasm from the leaders in the field.  Students meeting the criteria and who had submitted an abstract for consideration at the Biennial Conference were considered.

Awards Given Where the Selection Occurs Based on Presentations at the Biennial Conference

Frederic Fairfield Memorial Award – This award will be given to a student who has conducted innovative research in the field of marine mammal biology.  The award is presented in honour of Frederic Fairfield, who was lost with his colleague Tim Waters and their pilot when their survey plane crashed in the Faeroe Islands on July 6, 1987.  Fred was a marine mammal scientist with a passion for innovative research methods.  The award recognizes and supports scientists who have developed or applied pioneering techniques or research tools to study marine mammals.  This award differs from other student awards, as the emphasis is on innovative methodology and the potential for making significant advances in our knowledge of marine mammals, rather than on the results.  All student oral and poster presentations are reviewed based on the submitted abstract, and the innovativeness, content, and quality of the presentation.

J. Steven Leatherwood Memorial Award– This award honours Steven Leatherwood for his significant impact in the field of marine mammalogy, particularly for the conservation of marine mammals in South and Southeast Asia.  The award was established in 2005 and recognizes the most outstanding student presentation on marine mammals of this region with particular emphasis on conservation.  Only researchers who were considered “financially-challenged” were eligible.

General Student Awards – These awards are given to recognize spoken and poster presentations made at the Biennial Conference.  Awards are separated by the degree program and type of presentation.

• Best Pre-Doctoral Student POSTER presentation
• Best Pre-Doctoral Student ORAL presentation
• Best Doctoral Student POSTER presentation
• Best Doctoral Student ORAL presentation
• John G. Shedd Aquarium Award for Best OVERALL student presentation

The Best Overall Award is presented through a donation by the John G. Shedd Aquarium.  To be considered for student awards, a student must be enrolled and in good standing in a degree granting program (undergraduate or graduate) at a recognized college or university.  Single or multiple authorship submissions will be considered, however the student MUST be the first author.  Students graduating after the last Biennial Conference and who are not currently students are eligible for student awards, if the work presented was performed as part of their undergraduate or graduate research.  All student oral and poster presentations are reviewed based on the submitted abstract, and the content and quality of the presentation.