Polar staff members awarded at 2016 NSF Director's Awards Ceremony
October 26, 2016
Three Division of Polar Programs staff members were awarded at the 2016 National Science Foundation's Director's Awards ceremony held on Thursday, October 20.
Scott Borg, Section Head for Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics
Presidential Rank Award
Borg was awarded for exceptional leadership, personal dedication, foresight, and stewardship of the nation's science investments in Antarctica and for his contributions and forward thinking leadership that have both invigorated and ensured world preeminence of the U.S. Antarctic Science Program.
The Presidential Rank Award, granted by the President of the United States and Office of Personnel Management, recognizes extraordinary achievements by career executives in Federal service. These awards recognize the top individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to their agency and the Federal government.
Elizabeth Rom, Program Director, Polar Special Initiatives and Program Director, Ocean Education
NSF Director's Award for Excellence - Program Director/Project Manager
Rom was awarded for outstanding performance in simultaneously leading the Education Programs in the Division of Polar Programs and the Division of Ocean Sciences, resulting in highly significant program improvements and better value to the science community and NSF.
The NSF Director's Award for Excellence - Program Director/Project Manager, recognizes a program director/officer or project manager whose performance was of such high-caliber that it resulted in the organization achieving significant results.
Patrick Smith, Program Manager, Technology Development
NSF Director's Award for Excellence - "You Name It"
Smith was awarded for innovative use and re-use of satellite communications for science and operational activities of the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), enabling near real-time data transmission to researchers in the U.S. and around the world doing cutting-edge astrophysical research, and serving as an important communications link and morale booster for staff at the South Pole Station.
The NSF Director's Award for Excellence - "You Name It" recognizes an individual for an exemplary contribution, not covered by any other category of Excellence Awards.
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
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