Yoram J. Kaufman Award for Unselfish Cooperation in Research
The Atmospheric Sciences Section of the American Geophysical Union established the Yoram J. Kaufman Unselfish Cooperation in Research Award in 2009. This award is named in honor of Yoram J. Kaufman,
an outstanding atmospheric scientist, mentor, and creator of
international collaborations who worked on atmospheric aerosols and
their influence on the Earth's climate for his entire 30-year career.
Yoram was tragically killed in a bicycle accident just at the peak of
his career at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He grew in the 1990s to
be a leading light in aerosol research, both as an author of many new
theoretical ideas and as a leader of field campaigns like SCAR-B. He
also captained the first NASA Earth Observing System platform, Terra, as
its Project Scientist. He advised and mentored a large number of
students and junior scientists, and was known for his quick insight,
great heart, deep wisdom, and outreach to national and international
collaborators.
The award citation reads: "The Yoram J. Kaufman Award for broad influence in atmospheric science through exceptional creativity, inspiration of younger scientists, mentoring, international collaborations, and unselfish cooperation in research." The Kaufman Award consists of a certificate, $1,000, and dinner at the Section Banquet at the Fall Meeting, where the award will be presented. When the award is presented to a scientist from outside the U.S., it will consist in addition of a travel grant of $500 specifically to attend the AGU meeting at which it is presented.
The deadline for 2011 nominations is past. Watch for the next announcement in 2012. To be eligible, the candidate must be a member of the AGU, and be at least ten years past the award of the Ph.D. (or equivalent). The nomination package must consist of five items, each no longer than 2 pages in length:
- A nomination letter,
- the candidate's curriculum vitae, and
- three letters of recommendation, at least one from a collaborator of the nominee from a different nation.
The nomination and supporting letters should clearly state how the nominated individual has exhibited the qualities noted in the citation.
Past Kaufman Award Winners
2009 Ralph A. Kahn
2009 Ross J. Salawitch
2010
Douglas R. Worsnop
2011 Alex B. Guenther