Nathan Yee, who received his Ph.D. in civil engineering and geological sciences from Notre Dame in 2001, has been selected by the European Association for Geochemistry as the 2009 Houtermans’ medalist.
The European Association for Geochemistry awards the prestigious Houtermans’ Medal annually to a junior researcher (no more than 35 years of age) whose contributions to geochemistry are considered to be exceptional. The medal is scheduled to be presented at the Goldschmidt Conference in Davos, Switzerland, this summer. As the recipient, Yee is invited to present at a session of his choice during the conference.
Now an assistant professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with a joint appointment in the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Planetary and Earth Sciences, Yee is the author of more than 20 peer-reviewed articles. His research focuses on using microorganisms to reduce or mediate the toxicity of certain metals.
“Professor Yee’s work has social significance as well as being first-rate science,” noted Michael Carr, dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences within Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences. “Nathan works on microbes that sequester metals, including toxic metals such as arsenic and mercury, which are major environmental hazards. His work could lead to significant benefits for public health."