Dr. Alycia Stigall receives the AWG Professional Excellence Award
Dr. Alycia L. Stigall, Professor of Geological Sciences at Ohio University, was awarded the Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) Professional Excellence Award in the academia and research category at the Geological Society of America Meeting in Denver on Oct. 23.
This award is reserved for women who, throughout their careers, have made distinguished contributions to the geosciences in professional accomplishments, mentoring, outreach and service, and activity in professional societies.
Stigall’s nominators, Ohio University alumni Jennifer Bauer ’14M.S. and Adriane Lam ’15M.S. along with Sarah Sheffield, stated, “Dr. Stigall embodies this award perfectly. Her love and excitement for fossils is absolutely contagious and her unwavering support of students, fossil clubs, and her community is unmatched. She has been an invited speaker upwards of 50 occasions, such as conferences, departments, and local groups. She is the chair of the recently formed International Geosciences Programme Project 653 to discuss the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event and is hosting the next international meeting on her home campus at Ohio University,” they wrote in the nomination.
“Her students at Ohio University, under her mentorship, have gone on to begin Ph.D. programs, publish multiple papers on their research, and stay connected with their own fossil outreach. Alycia’s outreach efforts in person and online utilizing Cincinnatian fossils are well known. Less known are her efforts pursuing gender and diversity equality in STEM fields. Alongside collaborators she has coauthored articles discussing the ‘leaky pipeline’ that results in fewer women continuing their careers in the sciences. She recently dedicated her Charles Schuchert Award from the Paleontological Society to understanding the difficulties the field of paleontology faces regarding gender equality. Alycia is an excellent role model for women scientists of all levels. She produces outstanding research, provides unprecedented service to her community and university, and has found the balance between work and family. It is astounding how she has the time for all of the amazing work she is able to accomplish and the paleontological community is grateful for this work she does,” the nominators wrote.
The award was presented to Stigall at the annual AWG awards breakfast. Stigall is the fifth recipient of the Professional Excellence Award in the academic and research category.
“I am extremely honored to receive this prestigious award from the Association for Women Geoscientists,” says Stigall. “AWG was one of the first professional organizations that I joined. Having a cohort of strong women mentors and collaborators was a significant and positive factor in my early career development. It is gratifying that I have been able to develop both strong research program and also contribute in meaningful ways to mentoring the next generation of geoscientists and broadening participation in science. The fact that my former students nominated me for this award is one of the best compliments possible to receive.”
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