Expert on water to get DRI award

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

M. Gordon "Reds" Wolman, a Johns Hopkins University professor and pioneer in studying water quality issues, will receive the Desert Research Institute's 2002 Nevada Medal next month.

Wolman, noted for his study of how surface waters influence the shape of the Earth's landforms, will receive the eight-ounce silver medallion and $10,000 prize from SBC Nevada Bell on March 18 at the Desert Research Institute's Las Vegas campus, 755 E. Flamingo Road. He also will deliver a lecture.

On March 20 at DRI's University Nevada, Reno campus, Wolman, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, will receive the same honors during a second ceremony.

"Reds' early work on watershed processes in the 1950s is still a standard by which present research is measured," DRI President Stephen Wells said. "More than 40 years ago, Wolman was describing the fundamental hydrological concepts that are still guiding our considerations of water quality management and public policy."

Wolman is a past recipient of the American Geological Institute's highest honor, the Ian Campbell Medal.

The Desert Research Institute is a division of the University and Community College System of Nevada that does environmental research.