5 January, 2006 News stories

Her Majesty the Queen has approved the award of Polar medals for “outstanding achievement and service to British polar research” to British Antarctic Survey staff Andy Barker, Hugh Corr, Tony Gatti and Jon Shanklin as well as an MBE to Nick Cox.

Andy Barker first worked for BAS in 1995 as an IT Technician and after numerous seasons south on the RRS James Clark Ross, his ambition to over-winter was realised when he was appointed Communications Manager for the 2003 winter at Rothera Research Station. Andy returned to command Rothera in 2005.

Hugh Corr has recently been part of the successful Pine Island survey project and first traveled south with BAS during the 1986-1987 season. Hugh has spent many subsequent seasons in the deep field.

Tony Gatti served on the RRS Ernest Shackleton since its inaugural Antarctic voyage six years ago, and has recently transferred over to the RRS Discovery for the RSU and been promoted to Captain.

Jon Shanklin was part of the team of atmospheric scientists who first discovered the ozone hole in 1985 and continues to monitor and assess ozone levels from data collected at Halley Research Station.

In the New Year’s Honours list, Nick Cox was awarded an MBE for services to British polar science. Nick has worked for BAS for more than 30 years. He started in 1975 as a builder/boatman, initially spending two Antarctic winters at Signy Island Research Station. In 1991, whilst Base Commander of Signy, he was asked to establish, develop and manage a new Arctic research station, within the international science centre at Svalbard, for NERC. He is exceptionally well regarded by the Norwegian authorities and the worldwide polar science community. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Member of the UK Arctic Consultative Forum.