UA Professor Receives Award For Services In Antarctica

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Research Professor Paul H. Benoit of the University's department of chemistry and biochemistry will be presented an award by the National Science Foundation at a reception in room 318 of the Chemistry Building at 4 p.m. today.

The award was established by the Congress for presentation to persons who have performed outstanding service as members of a U.S. scientific expedition. The award consists of a medal, service ribbon, and a certificate from the National Science Foundation.

Benoit was a member of the Antarctic Search for Meteorites team in 1998-99 that searched for meteorites in the Graves Nunatak region of East Antarctica. That season was exceptionally successful- although the number of specimens recovered was slightly less than average, a very high proportion of them have proven to be of immense scientific interest. This service was performed under difficult conditions; living high on the East Antarctic Plateau and enduring isolation, severe weather conditions, rigorous physical duties, all while living for 40 days in a 9 by 9-foot tent. Benoit deserves recognition for always cheerful and willing contributions made to a scientific endeavor of enormous impact in the study of planetary materials.

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Derek Sears, professor, cosmochemistry, (479) 575-5204, dsears@comp.uark.edu