IAB Researcher Receives National Award

Submitted by Marie Gilbert
Phone: 474-7412
07/10/03

Dr. R. Terry Bowyer, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology and Department of Biology and Wildlife is the 2004 recipient of the prestigious C. Hart Merriam Award for outstanding research, teaching, and public service in mammalogy from the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM).

"The Merriam Award is the society’s most encompassing award and is among the highest honors the society confers," said Dr. Michael Willig, professor of biology at Texas Tech University and chairman of the ASM Merriam Award committee. "It is a lifetime achievement award in mammalogy."

The Merriam award is a grass-roots effort, Willig said, noting that it was Dr. Bowyer’s peers who nominated him. "It shows the esteem in which he is held by his colleagues."

Dr. Bowyer’s research focuses on the behavior and ecology of large mammals. He and his students have worked extensively on moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, caribou, Dall’s sheep, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, and fisher. While at UAF Dr. Bowyer has trained 8 Ph.D. students and 20 master’s students, as well as taught in the wildlife undergraduate program.

The award was presented at the society’s 2003 annual convention in June, which included presentation of an award to Harvard University professor emeritus, world-famous biologist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward O. Wilson.

C. Hart Merriam was a U.S. biologist and founder of the U.S. Division of Biological Survey where he served as the agency’s chief from 1896 to 1905.

The Society of Mammalogists was established in 1919 to promote interest in the study of mammals. According to the ASM Web site, "In addition to being among the most charismatic of animals, mammals are important in many disciplines from paleontology to ecology and evolution. We, of course, are mammals and thus are in the interesting position of studying ourselves in quest of a greater understanding of the role of mammals in the natural world."