The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust is proud to announce the 2022 Swanson and META award winners. These educators and researchers are honored for their exemplary leadership in the scientific community. From inspiring the next generation of scientists to making important research contributions in their field, they embody the excellence these awards seek to celebrate.
The Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award recognizes a senior faculty member with an established, productive, and nationally recognized research program. The Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award honors a junior faculty member with less than ten years of faculty experience who has demonstrated an exceptional potential in establishing an exemplary, productive, and sustainable research program. Finally, the Murdock Exemplary Teacher-Researcher (META) Award celebrates a high school science teacher that has shown outstanding service as a Partners in Science participant.
This year’s awardees include…
Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award
Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler • Professor and Chair of Biology, Seattle Pacific University
For her internationally recognized work uncoupling and re-coupling human locomotor evolution with reproductive fitness, and her unparalleled mentorship of undergraduate student researchers from diverse backgrounds. See this video about her research.
Dr. Kate Jackson • Professor of Biology, Whitman College
For internationally recognized work to advance scientific knowledge of herpetology, snakes and snakebite in Africa and to mentor the next generation of scientists. See this video about her research.
Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award
Dr. Margaret Metz • Associate Professor of Biology, Lewis and Clark College
For her contributions to understanding forest dynamics and disturbances in a changing world, and for inspiring students to appreciate and protect earth’s biodiversity. See this video about her research.
Murdock Exemplary Teacher-Researcher Award
Ms. Elizabeth Beks • Science Teacher, North Pole High School
Ms. Beks, a life science teacher, effectively promotes collaboration, advocacy, and problem-solving skills in her classroom and with colleagues on a local and national level. She continually engages in high-level research practices that encourage students to think creatively and learn techniques that drive their own choices for careers in science.
Please join us in congratulating the 2022 Swanson and META award winners!
