Duke's Gabriel Katul Awarded Medal In Geophysical Sciences

DURHAM, N.C. -- Hydrologist Gabriel G. "Gaby" Katul of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences has been awarded the American Geophysical Union's prestigious James B. Macelwane Medal, which recognizes significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by an outstanding young scientist. Katul, associate professor of hydrology and co-director of the Center for Hydrologic Science, specializes in the transfers of water vapor and carbon dioxide between the biosphere and the atmosphere. He has established a national reputation as an organizer and participant in the AmeriFlux program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to measure the carbon uptake by large tracts of forest. Working at the FACE (Free-Air CO2 Enrichment) site in Duke Forest, Katul has estimated forest carbon uptake under ambient levels of carbon dioxide. "Katul is one of the brightest and most productive young scientists that I have ever encountered," said Nicholas School Dean William H. Schlesinger. "He holds the interdisciplinary skills that will propel the advances most likely to improve our understanding of earth system science during the next few decades." The American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit scientific organization representing more than 38,000 geophysical scientists from 117 countries. Its Macelwane Medal honors its 13th president, who was renowned not just for his contributions to geophysics, but also for his deep interest in teaching and encouraging young scientists. Katul holds a doctoral degree in hydrology from the University of California, Davis, a master's of science degree in water resources from Oregon State University and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from The American University of Beirut. He is credited with numerous publications, most recently a multi-author study involving the FACE project published in the May 24, 2001, journal Nature, titled: "Soil fertility limits carbon sequestration by forest-ecosystems in CO2 enriched atmosphere."