2017 UCGIS Carolyn Merry Mentoring Award to Budhu Bhaduri
Budhu's leadership and mentorship have resulted in the scientific research training of over 300 graduate and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds since 2003, through training and engaging them in highly acclaimed projects such as Landscan. Alumni of Budhu's group have gone on to pursue and succeed in careers at major academic research institutions, national labs, and top companies pursuing cutting-edge GIScience research and development. As indicated by the letters of support for his nomination for this award, Budhu's leadership and mentorship have been a critical component in numerous students completing MS and PhD theses and dissertations, with much of this work being published in leading GIScience journals, and many of these individuals choosing to continue to pursue careers and degrees in GIScience, and STEM more broadly.
The Carolyn Merry Mentoring Award was established by UCGIS in 2015 to recognize an individual who demonstrates exceptional mentoring abilities and practices. Professor Carolyn Merry embodied the spirit of a mentor by sharing her wisdom and experience with colleagues, particularly junior scholars, as a scientist, educator, and academic leader. Professor emerita of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering at The Ohio State University, Dr. Merry was known for her scholarship and leadership in remote sensing and geographic information science. The goal of the Carolyn Merry Mentoring Award is to recognize the commitment she demonstrated to mentoring and the investment of others who share this philosophy. >br>
UCGIS will honor Budhu Bhaduri and other award recipients during its annual Symposium in May 2017 in Arlington, Virginia.
UCGIS is a non-profit scientific and educational organization comprised of 60+ member and affiliate institutions. It was established in 1995 for the purposes of advancing research in the field of Geographic Information Science, expanding and strengthening multidisciplinary Geographic Information Science education, and advocating policies for the promotion of the ethical use of and access to geographic information and technologies, by building and supporting scholarly communities and networks. UCGIS is a hub for the GIS research and education community in higher education and serves as a national and international voice to advocate for its members’ interests.
For further information, visit www.ucgis.org or contact Diana Sinton, Executive Director (dianasinton@ucgis.org).