University of Georgia professor J. Marshall Shepherd was the top prize winner in National Academies’ Research Scientist: Later Career category of its Schmidt Awards.
Given by the National Academies in partnership with Schmidt Sciences, the awards recognize science journalists, research scientists and science communicators who have developed creative work to communicate issues and advances in science, engineering and medicine to the general public.
A total of 24 awards, split among eight categories, were announced — nine awards for science communication by research scientists, nine awards for science journalists and six awards for science communicators. In each category, one $40,000 top prize and two $20,000 awards were given, totaling $640,000.
Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geography in UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, has built a decades-long career communicating weather and climate science to the public.
In addition to serving as the president of the American Meteorological Society in 2013, Shepherd is also the host of The Weather Channel’s award-winning “Weather Geeks,” a podcast dedicated to weather science, and a contributor to Forbes Magazine. Shepherd routinely appears on national media outlets like CNN, the New York Times and ABC News, among others.
“At a time when misinformation and disinformation are thriving, science experts must engage beyond the ivory tower,” Shepherd said. “I embrace that charge so to be recognized by the National Academies with this high honor is rewarding, but the work continues.”
