Distinguished Researcher Award to Robert Kerrich

Posted May 24, 2000


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ? May 19, 2000 2000-05-18-OTHER

Renowned Geochemist To Receive U of S Distinguished Researcher Award

U of S geochemist Robert Kerrich, a world expert on the geochemistry of gold
deposits, will be presented with the university?s Distinguished Researcher
Award at convocation on May 23rd.

The award, which carries a $1,000 prize, recognizes a U of S faculty member
who has made a major contribution to knowledge through research and
publication.

"As one of Canada?s most distinguished geochemists, Professor Kerrich has
established an internationally recognized reputation for research
excellence, bringing credit to his department and the University," said
Michael Corcoran, Vice-President of Research.

Prof. Kerrich as contributed significantly to the understanding of how the
Earth?s crust evolved, work which has been important to the mining industry.
He has applied his understanding of earth processes to environmental
science, investigating problems in fields as diverse as the agricultural and
health sciences.

He was instrumental in establishing at U of S one of Canada's finest
geochemical analytical facilities. Hundreds of scientific papers have been
generated by faculty, graduate students and other members of his research
team.

Prof. Kerrich earned his Master's (1972) and Ph.D. (1975) degrees at
Imperial College, London, UK. He joined the U of S in 1987. In 1996, he was
awarded an Earned Doctor of Science from the U of S.

His international profile and prolific research record led his department to
seek his appointment to the George J. McLeod Chair in 1987. His subsequent
award of a prestigious NSERC Steacie Fellowship confirmed his status within
the Canadian scientific community.

He is a leading advocate of "earth systems science" which brings together
earth sciences and life sciences to address both scientific and social
questions. For example, he has collaborated with toxicologists and
epidemiologists on environmental geochemistry issues. He was a key player in
the $1.9-M Tri-Council Prairie Ecosystem study known as PECOS.

He has authored 156 refereed publications in major international geoscience
journals. In addition, he has authored invited articles in a host of edited
volumes on geochemistry, gold mineralization, global tectonics and other
topics. Last year, he was invited by the influential international journal
Science to write about recent Australian breakthroughs in understanding how
gold deposits form.

Prof. Kerrich's expertise has been sought by various national and
international research organizations. He has served on NSERC grant
selection committees and on the Scientific Review Group of the Federal
Environmental Assessment Review Office (FEARO) that reviewed Canada?s plans
for nuclear waste management.

Other notable honors bestowed on Prof. Kerrich include:
* Willett G. Miller Medal of the Royal Society of Canada (1999), awarded
once every two years for outstanding research in the earth sciences
* Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1992 -- Kerrich was the youngest
individual ever to receive the honor)
* W.H. Gross Medal of the Geological Association of Canada (1988), awarded
annually to a young geologist who has made outstanding contributions to the
field of economic geology in Canada

During his 13 years at U of S, Kerrich has graduated more than a dozen
doctoral and numerous masters? students, many of whom are now university
professors, corporate leaders or research scientists in government or the
private sector.


For more information contact:

Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2506

Professor Robert Kerrich
Department of Geological Sciences
(306) 966-5719