FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2008                                 

McConnell named inaugural Ansari Medal winner
DRI faculty member recognized for outstanding achievements

RENO - Joe McConnell, a Research Professor in the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute has been awarded the inaugural Nazir and Mary Ansari Medal for Excellence in Science.

“The Ansari Medal reflects Dr. McConnell’s superb scholarship, which has received international recognition,” said Stephen Wells, DRI President. “I’m also grateful for the continued generosity and leadership of Nazir and Mary Ansari, who are both such wonderful supporters of DRI.”

 McConnell was named the Regent’s Researcher of the Year award in 2006 and is being awarded the Ansari Medal for his accomplishments from 2004 through 2006 and the development of one of the world’s premier ice-core analytical programs. During this three-year period, McConnell has been the co-author of a paper in Science Magazine in 2005, 12 additional peer-reviewed publications, and 50 conference presentations and abstracts. He expanded his original ultra-trace chemistry lab through a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Award to acquire a second high-resolution mass spectrometer.

“I want to congratulate Joe for his tremendous work on such an important subject,” Nazir Ansari said. “Mary and I are proud to do our part in recognizing the excellent research and science being conducted at DRI. At the same time, we hope this award brings about a greater recognition of the excellent high level of research and science taking place through DRI both statewide and worldwide.”

McConnell’s recent research was ranked 19th out of Discover Magazine’s 100 top science stories of 2007. Through a new method developed by McConnell, he determined that eight times as much black carbon was deposited in Greenland’s ice from 1906 to 1910 than during the previous 100 years. The study showed the dramatic effect of the industrial revolution on the environment.

The Nazir and Mary Ansari Medal for Excellence in Science was established in 2007 by the Ansaris through the DRI Research Foundation to recognize institute faculty for their outstanding contributions to science and entrepreneurialism. The recipient receives a $2,000 prize to the recipient and will also be required to give lectures in Las Vegas and Reno.

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