Dave Micklos Wins GSA Award for Excellence in Education

Dave Micklos, iPlant's Education, Outreach, and Training Lead and visionary for the development of DNA Subway, has been awarded The Elizabeth W. Jones Award for Excellence in Education by the Genetics Society of America (GSA). The award recognizes significant and sustained impact in genetics education. Mr. Micklos was nominated by iPlant Project Director, Steve Goff, and selected by colleagues in his field. The GSA also made four other awards in different categories.

GSA President Philip Hieter, PhD, said, "the individuals honored this year exemplify the seminal contributions that genetics makes to our fundamental understanding of living systems, helping point the way toward such applications as developing new treatments for human disease and increasing the yields of agricultural crops. We are delighted to honor these geneticists who have added so much not only to our field, but to society as a whole."

In addition to Micklos, the recipients are:

• Kathryn V. Anderson, PhD (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) has received the Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal for lifetime contributions to the field of genetics.
• Joanne Chory, PhD (Salk Institute for Biological Studies) has received the Genetics Society of America Medal for outstanding contributions in genetics for the last 15 years.
• Therese Markow, PhD (University of California, San Diego) has received the George W. Beadle Award for outstanding contributions to the community of genetics researchers.
• Dana Carroll, PhD (University of Utah) has received The Edward Novitski Prize, which recognizes an extraordinary level of creativity and intellectual ingenuity in solving a significant problem(s) in genetics research

"I am honored by this award, especially in light of the other very good institutions represented: Sloan-Kettering, U.C. San Diego, Salk Institute, and University of Utah," said Mr. Micklos. In her support letter for Micklos' nomination, Sarah Elgin of Washington University in St. Louis succinctly summed up Mr. Micklos' impact on science education, saying "there is no doubt in my mind that Dave has had a major impact in this arena, both by providing opportunities for students at the Dolan DNA Learning Center (DNALC) at Cold Spring Harbor, but also by providing training for high school teachers and college faculty, gaining an important multiplier effect. And through his books and website, he has provided the tools for many other scientists to provide outreach to their local school districts, a ripple effect that has reached many more."

To read the GSA's full press release, go to:  http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/gsoa-gso011812.php