image: This is Kendall L. Carder in transit on a research cruise through the Sargasso Sea. view more
Credit: Courtesy of Kendall L. Carder
The Oceanography Society is pleased to announce that Professor Kendall L. Carder has been selected as the 2012 recipient of The Nils Gunnar Jerlov Award recognizing his contributions to the advancement of our knowledge of the nature and consequences of light in the ocean. Dr. Carder was specifically cited for his pioneering work on in situ optical measurements of particles and dissolved matter, the development of underwater imaging systems including holographic systems for measuring particle dynamics, his many contributions to ocean color remote sensing and hyperspectral imaging and his teaching and mentoring of students and post-doctoral fellows both at the University of South Florida and in the Ocean Optics Classes with Mary Jane Perry.
Dr. Carder's achievements will be recognized during a ceremony on October 11th at the Ocean Optics Conference in Glasgow, Scotland (http://oceanopticsconference.org/).
Dr. Carder earned his B.S. in physics from Fresno State College and his M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University. After receiving his PhD in 1970, Ken joined the faculty at the University of South Florida (USF), where he remained for his entire career except for a brief assignment at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. His contributions as the first NASA Ocean Color Program Manager and as a NASA Science Team member and researcher have been critical to the success of the NASA spaceborne ocean color sensors CZCS, SeaWiFS and MODIS. One of Ken's great contributions at USF was teaching and mentoring students and Post Doctoral researchers. Beyond his teaching at USF, Ken teamed with Mary Jane Perry in founding the Ocean Optics Class (originally at Friday Harbor, WA now at U. Maine) that became the training ground for many of today's leaders in the field.
Nils Gunnar Jerlov was an early leader in the area of ocean optics research. His name is recognized widely within the entire international oceanographic research community. Jerlov's theoretical and experimental work on ocean optical and related processes helped form the foundation of modern ocean optical research. He proposed the concept of an optical ocean water mass classification and the Jerlov water types are familiar to many outside of the ocean optics community. His book, Marine Optics, published in 1976, remains widely referenced and is considered required reading for all students of ocean optics and ocean color remote sensing.
The Oceanography Society (TOS) commemorates Dr. Jerlov and his many contributions to the study of light in the ocean with an international award, established in his name, to recognize outstanding achievements in ocean optics and ocean color remote sensing research. To learn more about the award, visit: http://tos.org/awards_honors/jerlov_award.html