July 26, 2006
Contact: Jana Smith
405.744.5827
jana.smith@okstate.edu
Catlos Named Society's “Top Young Scientist”
STILLWATER , Okla. —The Geological Society of America has named OSU's Elizabeth Catlos, assistant professor of geology, the 2006 Top Young Scientist. Catlos will receive the prestigious Donath Medal at the Society's annual meeting in Philadelphia in October. Endowed by Dr. and Mrs. Fred A. Donath, the award was established in 1988 to recognize young scientists for outstanding achievement in geology through research that advances the earth sciences. As the recipient of the award, Catlos will receive a gold medal and a $20,000 cash prize.
“I am honored to receive the award and to have my professional achievements recognized,” Catlos remarked. She has distinguished herself in the field of geology with research funded by the National Science Foundation to date minerals in Turkey and India . Catlos was nominated for the award by Sorena Sorensen, Smithsonian Institute, and 6 other scientists. Catlos and Sorensen worked together on a project dating minerals from Northern California and the Dominican Republic and co-authored an article on the research published in Science magazine (January 3, 2003).
Her recent research in western Turkey focuses on understanding the evolution of Menderes Massif, located west of Ankara , the capital of Turkey . The region is characterized by extension. The Earth's crust has pulled apart exposing approximately 40,000km2 of high temperature metamorphic and igneous rocks. Sediments have filled the basins, creating important petroleum reserves and excellent farmland. The cause of the extension is unknown, and because it is ongoing could create catastrophic earthquakes.
Catlos, a team of scientists and graduate students traveled to Turkey this summer to create a geologic map of the area and to collect rocks. Using the OSU Electron Microprobe donated to the Catlos lab by ConocoPhillips in 2002 to find and date radioactive minerals in the rocks from Turkey , Catlos and graduate student Courteney Baker can determine when the extension began. The Menderes Massif is a key locale for identifying basic plate tectonic processes that cause extension in the continental crust.
“I was thrilled to learn about the award of the Donath Medal to Elizabeth Catlos. This is wonderful recognition for her program and for the Boone Pickens School of Geology. I have been delighted by recent advances in the School and by the outstanding faculty that we have been able to recruit to the School,” said Peter M. A. Sherwood, dean, College of Arts and Sciences. The award marks a milestone for Catlos and OSU as she joins an elite group of past medalists from top research universities. Learn more about the Donath Award at www.geosociety.org .
Oklahoma State University—an active $100M+ research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma—is home to nearly 500 researchers working in the fields of biotechnology, energy, nanotechnology, sensors and more to develop innovative solutions for application and commercialization in the global marketplace. For more information about OSU's research programs and “one stop shopping” visit the VPRTT site at www.vpr.okstate.edu/researchcentral .
