The Department of Atmospheric Science’s Jiwen Fan was honored this year for her research into the aerosol effects on cumulus clouds in Houston.

“When I knew I had actually gotten the award, I felt very excited and was full of gratitude to my advisor for his nomination and guidance in research,” Fan said.

Qinliang Zhou of the Department of Chemistry was also honored for her research. Receiving the mentor awards were Charlotte Burress of the Department of Chemistry and Maria Gutierrez of the Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management.

Prior to the awards ceremony, Dr. Lisa Campbell of the Department of Oceanography gave the keynote lecture: “New Tools to Study Karenia Blooms: An Update”, in which she highlighted some of she and her colleagues’ efforts to learn more about the causes and patterns of Karenia blooms, popularly known as red tides. Campbell was chosen by WISE board members who felt that she was working on quality and cutting-edge research.

"Lisa was selected after careful consideration of the research that she is involved, and after discussions with other noted scientists on campus," Dr. Nancy Magnussen said. "She does amazing and important work that clearly deserves this recognition. She did a fabulous job of presenting her work for the lay audience."

WISE, the group that sponsors the Ethel Ashworth Tsutsui awards is a group of graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows and staff at Texas A&M University that was created when a handful of female graduate students in the Department of Chemistry got together to discuss a high drop-out rate among their fellow women graduate students. Hoping to make a difference in the lives of women across Texas A&M, WISE set out to improve conditions for women on campus. WISE now includes women from all scientific and technical colleges on campus.

For more information about WISE, visit the website at http://outreach.science.tamu.edu/wise.asp

For more information about Dr. Lisa Campbell, visit her website at http://ocean.tamu.edu/Directory/Faculty/Bio/campbell.html