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YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD (DONATH MEDAL) COMMITTEE Why GSA Membership GSA TODAY | www.geosociety.org/gsatoday
Vacancy: One member-at large three-year term (E) Is Important to Me
What it does: Investigates the achievements of young scientists
who should be considered for this award and makes recommenda- Catherine Smith on the RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer offshore of the Sabrina
tions to GSA Council. Coast, East Antarctica.
Qualifications: Members should have knowledge of young scien-
tists with outstanding achievement(s) in contributing to geologic B eing a member of GSA has been integral to my
knowledge through original research that marks a major advance professional development as a graduate student at
in the earth sciences. the University of South Florida–College of Marine
Science (USF-CMS). The 2014 GSA Annual
GSA INTERNATIONAL Meeting in Vancouver was my first scientific meeting, and it
Vacancies: Coordinator, International Travel Grants and Awards really opened my eyes to the importance of networking with
Program; International Representative to Geology & Public Policy other geoscientists in sessions, in the poster hall or in the
Committee; International Representative to the Joint Technical coffee line.
Program Committee; Chair, International Distinguished
Lectureship; and Chair, International Interest Group; all are The next year, I was able to meet fellow palynologists at the
4-year terms (E, M) poster session at the 2015 Annual Meeting in Baltimore as I
What it does: GSA International is GSA’s coordination and presented the preliminary results from my master’s project. I
communication resource seeking to promote, create, and enhance had fruitful discussions at my poster with multiple palynolo-
opportunities for international cooperation related to the scien- gists and got to enjoy dinner and a beer with other geoscien-
tific, educational, and outreach missions shared by GSA and like- tists who have helped me and will help me academically and
minded professional societies, educational institutions, and professionally.
government agencies. Members will help build collaborative rela-
tionships with GSA Divisions and Associated Societies on interna- GSA has provided me with more than just the opportunity
tional issues and serve as channel for member generated proposals to attend annual meetings; I’ve also benefitted from various
for international themes. funding and volunteer opportunities. As a GSA member, I
applied for and received a GSA Graduate Student Research
GSA REPRESENTATIVE TO AAPG PUBLICATION PIPELINE Grant, which funded additional palynology slides that are
COMMITTEE essential to my master’s thesis. Furthermore, I recently
Vacancy: One GSA Conferee three-year term (M, B) became the GSA Campus Representative for USF-CMS,
What it does: Collects a broad spectrum of geological reference which allows me to serve as a source of information for
materials from the U.S. and Canada and distributes them overseas students and faculty about GSA membership, meetings,
to universities in developing nations where they will be put to funding, and volunteer opportunities.
good use.
My advice to all geoscience students is to attend GSA
Committee, Section, and Division Volunteers: annual and sectional meetings, apply for student and confer-
ence travel grants, and be an active member. You never know
Council Thanks You! when you are going to meet someone who can help you—I
talked to someone in the coffee line at the 2015 meeting and
GSA Council acknowledges the many member-volunteers now I am writing this testimonial!
who, over the years, have contributed to the Society and
to our science through involvement in the affairs of the GSA. Catherine Smith
Your time, talent, and expertise help build a solid and Master’s Student, University of South
lasting Society. Florida–College of Marine Science
GSA Member Since 2013
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