Humboldt Research Award for Ralph Keeling
03.04.2009, Kiel – Prof. Dr. Ralph Keeling from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, USA, currently spending a one-year sabbatical at the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR in Kiel, Germany, is honoured with the Humboldt Research Award. The award is valued at 60,000 EUR.
Ralph Keeling (51) is one of the worldwide leading experts in the area of atmospheric gases, in particular oxygen. Keeling’s research has focused primarily on atmospheric processes but he has recently turned also to studying oxygen in the ocean. Here, IFM-GEOMAR in Kiel, in particular with the Cluster of Excellence „The Future Ocean“ and the Collaborative Research Centre 754 „Climate-Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean“ is one of the leading institutes worldwide. Thus, Prof. Keeling gratefully accepted the invitation to spend a one-year research sabbatical in Kiel.
“Since 20 years my measurements show a continuous decline of oxygen in the atmosphere”, Keeling stated. “The same thing is happening in the ocean. But there, oxygen is more difficult to measure because of its inhomogeneous distribution. My colleagues here in Kiel study quite intensively the so-called ‘oxygen minimum zones’ in the ocean. Here, I can learn a lot and on the other hand I am able to bring in my own experience from my atmospheric studies”, Keeling continued. “I am very honoured to receive the Humboldt award and grateful for being hosted in such a stimulating environment“.
„We were already very pleased to get Ralph Keeling for a sabbatical to Kiel“, Martin Visbeck, speaker of the Cluster of Excellence „The Future Ocean“ stated. “The Humboldt Research Award is like icing on the cake “, Prof. Douglas Wallace, speaker of the Collaborative Research Centre 754 „Climate-Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean“ added.
Background information:
The Humboldt Research Award is granted in recognition of a researcher's entire achievements to date to academics whose fundamental discoveries, new theories, or insights have had a significant impact on their own discipline and who are expected to continue producing cutting-edge achievements in future are eligible to be nominated for a Humboldt Research Award.
Eligible to be nominated are eminent foreign researchers at the peak of their academic careers and in leading positions, such as full professors or directors of institutes.
Award winners are invited to spend a period of up to one year cooperating on a long-term research project with specialist colleagues at a research institution in Germany. The stay may be divided up into blocks.
The Humboldt Foundation grants up to 100 Humboldt Research Awards annually.
Nominations may be submitted by established academics in Germany. Direct applications are not accepted. The award is valued at 60,000 EUR.
Contact:
Dr. Andreas Villwock (Öffentlichkeitsarbeit), Tel. +49-431 / 600 – 2802, avillwock@geomar.de
