Elizabeth Austin-Minor, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and principal investigator for several Large Lakes Observatory research projects, has received the 2017 Sabra S. and Dennis L. Anderson Scholar/Teacher Award from UMD's Swenson College of Science and Engineering.
Her research centers on carbon cycling and chemical and isotopic characterization of aquatic carbon pools. She has led several comprehensive research projects including one on the simultaneous study of physical, chemical, and biological conditions on Lake Superior. She teaches analytical and environmental chemistry at the undergraduate level and chemical limnology at the graduate level. She also advises undergraduate and graduate research students.
"Dr. Minor epitomizes the concept of teacher/scholar," says Robert Sterner, director of the Large Lakes Observatory. "Since 2006, she has had more than twenty undergraduate researchers affiliated with her lab. At least seven of these undergraduates went on to graduate or professional school in STEM fields, two of them continued in her lab for a master’s degree, and one went on to get an MBA. She has an impressive track record both as a researcher and a mentor."
The Sabra S. and Dennis L. Anderson Scholar/Teacher Award honors a faculty member of scholarly distinction and teaching excellence who has encouraged undergraduates to undertake meaningful research projects.
Top large photo: Elizabeth Austin-Minor collects a sample on board the Blue Heron Research Vessel.