UNLV geoscience professor Eugene Smith received the 2006 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award at UNLV’s academic recognition ceremony on April 20. The award was established in 2001 by President Carol C. Harter to honor the contributions U.S. Sen. Harry Reid has made to UNLV’s research programs. It is given to researchers whose work positively impacts the local community and the state.
Throughout his 26 years at UNLV, Smith has developed an impressive record of research in the field of volcanology, including studies of the probability of volcanic eruption in the area of Yucca Mountain. Smith currently is studying the geology of the new Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area south of Henderson and large stratovolcanoes in Alaska and Kamchatka, Siberia, related to the “Ring of Fire,” which contains much of the world’s volcanic activity.
Smith is the author of 75 journal articles. He has mentored 15 graduate students, five postdoctoral scholars, and six research associates. Smith played an instrumental role in developing the geoscience master’s and Ph.D. degrees at UNLV.
All full-time faculty members are eligible to be nominated for the award, which is funded by the UNLV Foundation. The winner receives a $10,000 stipend and a medal presented at UNLV’s academic recognition ceremony.
