The Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies is proud to announce that three of its faculty affiliates have been honored with prestigious awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to research and fostering inclusion within the academic community.
Arthur Greer Memorial Prizes
The Arthur Greer Memorial Prizes for Outstanding Scholarly Publication or Research recognize outstanding research conducted by ladder faculty members in the social or natural sciences, broadly construed, who are untenured at the time that the work is completed or published. This year, two YIBS affiliates have been honored with this prestigious award:
Brandon Ogbunu, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Brandon Ogbunu was awarded the Greer Prize in recognition of his innovative research in computational biology and evolutionary genetics. Ogbunu uses computational tools in combination with biological insights to enrich understandings of biological systems and their evolutionary dynamics. In 2023, he was awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Pioneer Award in recognition of this work.
Lidya Tarhan, Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Lidya Tarhan was awarded the Greer Prize in recognition of her groundbreaking research on the sedimentary record. Tarhan has unearthed answers to questions about evolution, Earth’s ancient oceans, and the role of animals as ecosystem engineers in the past and present. Tarhan’s research was previously recognized with a 2023 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship and the 2021 Geological Society of America Donath Medal (Young Scientist Award).
FAS Dean’s Award for Inclusion and Belonging
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for Inclusion and Belonging recognizes ladder and instructional faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to creating and sustaining a climate of inclusion and belonging within the FAS, as identified through nominations from across the FAS. This year, YIBS affiliate Thomas Near has been recognized for his outstanding efforts:
Thomas Near, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
As the chair of his department, Thomas Near has demonstrated exceptional leadership in hiring strategy, attracting scholars from diverse backgrounds to Yale, and he has embraced opportunities to enable junior colleagues to lead. Near has also led diversity and inclusion efforts as Head of Saybrook College, providing consistent support to First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) students and student affinity groups.
YIBS congratulates these distinguished faculty affiliates for their extraordinary achievements and their dedication to advancing both scientific knowledge and inclusive excellence at Yale. Their work not only enriches our understanding of the natural world but also strengthens the fabric of our academic community.
