News Release

American Society for Microbiology honors Mary Ann Moran

Grant and Award Announcement

American Society for Microbiology

Washington, DC—May 28, 2008—The inaugural 2008 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) D.C. White Research and Mentoring Award is being presented to Mary Ann Moran, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens. This award honors the late David C. White, who was known for his interdisciplinary scientific approach and for being a dedicated and inspiring mentor. It is being presented to Dr. Moran for her distinguished accomplishments in interdisciplinary research and mentoring.

Dr. Moran is highly regarded in marine microbial biology and has distinguished herself as a mentor and a role model. For students and trainees at every level, she creates stimulating research environments that allow young scientists to fulfill their potential and excel. She is a world leader in the study of microbial and photochemical transformations of several types of organic substances, especially plant-derived lignins and their degradation products, that are highly resistant to biological degradation and that accumulate over long periods of time in aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Moran's interest in this area led her to develop new techniques for studying naturally occurring marine bacteria in situ, with which she identified a group of marine bacteria, the Roseobacter clade. In 2004, Dr. Moran was appointed a Moore Foundation Investigator in Marine Microbiology, a rare and prestigious honor that awarded $2.6 million for her work on the genomics of marine bacteria. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.

Dr. Moran received her B.A. from Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, and her M.S. from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. She earned her Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia, Athens.

The D.C. White Research and Mentoring Award will be presented during the 108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), June 1 – June 5, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 43,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health and economic and environmental well-being.

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