BAS staff awarded the Polar Medal
Three British Antarctic Survey (BAS) personnel, and one former member of staff, have been awarded the Polar Medal. The announcement was made last week (Friday 20 January 2017) in the London Gazette.
Glaciologist Andy Smith receives a second clasp to his Polar Medal. Andy joined BAS in 1983 and was awarded the Polar Medal in 1994 – since then he has spent the equivalent of another three years of his life working in the polar regions. Andy’s ability to lead and deliver complex, efficient and safe fieldwork, such as the iSTAR programme, is well-known in national and international Antarctic science and logistics communities.
Isabelle Gerrard has worked as a chef with BAS in the Antarctic for a total of more than five years, with many winter seasons in her record. Not only is Issy an excellent chef but has also been a great mentor, friend and counsellor to many staff across the BAS research stations.
Steve King has been working as a pilot with BAS for 10 years and prior to that for Ken Borek. He has a considerable Arctic and Antarctic flying record, not only on the continent but also on Arctic sea ice. His extensive experience, positive attitude and relaxed manner has helped make challenging science support projects exceptionally successful.
Ian Boyd is a marine ecologist with interests in behavioural dynamics of marine predators, management of marine ecosystems and assessment of environmental risk. He worked in BAS from 1987 for 14 years, focussing on the ecology of seals around South Georgia, which helped to establish BAS as the leading seabird and marine mammal group in the world. He is now Chief Science Advisor to DEFRA.
The Polar Medal is awarded by HM The Queen to personnel who have given valued service in the polar regions.
The full list of Polar Medals awards can be seen here