U of S Geoscientist Wins Geological Association Medal

Posted May 27, 2002


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- May 27, 2002 2002-05-31-OTHER

U of S Geoscientist Wins Geological Association Medal

University of Saskatchewan geoscientist Brian Pratt has won the
Past-President's Medal from the Geological Association of Canada (GAC), an
honor bestowed upon a mid-career scientist who has made continuous and
internationally significant contributions to earth science.

The award was announced today at the joint annual meeting of the GAC and the
Mineralogical Association of Canada at the University of Saskatchewan. The
recipient is chosen by the GAC past-president and a selection committee of
experts.

"Brian has made remarkably numerous fundamental contributions in both
sedimentology and paleontology," states the GAC citation, noting that his
work has taken him around the world and earned him an international
reputation for groundbreaking research. He's described as "always
questioning" and a "rebel against received wisdom."

Pratt's nomination for the award was supported by eminent European and
Australian scientists, along with many Canadians who wrote letters of strong
endorsement.

"This is one of the highest honors in the geological sciences and confers
distinction on both the department and the U of S," said Robert Kerrich, U
of S professor of geological sciences and Fellow of the Royal Society of
Canada.

Pratt's career began unusually early. A childhood spent beside the Niagara
escarpment gave him a passion for rocks and fossils. That initial passion
led him into groundbreaking research on the formation of reefs and
reef-building micro-organisms that has become the foundation for
international reef study.

Pratt also developed a theory for tropical, shallow-water sedimentation in
inland seas, such as the ones that covered Saskatchewan in the past. This
theory helps explain the presence of oil and gas in the province and is
cited as a fundamental model in geological textbooks.

A love of the Rockies led Pratt to turn his focus to paleontology. Through
his research, he was the first to revise classifications for many marine
invertebrate fossils in Canadian rocks and discovered the first fossil
embryos ever found. These were of trilobites, extinct animals related to
crabs and lobsters.

Pratt's latest research has allowed him to solve a series of mysteries that
have stumped geologists for over a century. For example, he ascribed
peculiar sedimentary deformations, such as the internal cracks in stone
balls found in some Saskatchewan river valleys, to earthquake-induced ground
motion. He is still exploring the evolutionary significance of his
findings.

He has published a book on his research and nearly 60 peer-reviewed papers.
He is much in demand as a guest lecturer.

Pratt earned his Master of Science degree at Memorial University in
Newfoundland and his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto. He moved to
Saskatchewan and began his career with the U of S in 1989.

He has been honored with many awards including the United States Antarctica
Service Medal in 1985, the David Strangway Award in Earth Science in 1986,
and Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Volunteer Awards in 1997 and
2001.


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For more information, contact:

Prof. Brian Pratt
Department of Geological Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5725

Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/research/
Home of the Canadian Light Source www.cls.usask.ca