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The Pikaia Award

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About the Award

In 2002, the Paleontology Division introduced a new award, the Pikaia Award. The Pikaia Award is awarded in recognition of a recent contribution to research on any aspect of Canadian paleontology, or by a Canadian to paleontology, that is judged to constitute an outstanding accomplishment in the field. The outstanding accomplishment may be a single paper or monograph or a series of closely related papers. The award will normally go to an individual who is no more than 15 years past their last degree.

 

The Pikaia award is named after Pikaia gracilens, an early cephalochordate known from the Burgess Shale. It is awarded every three years.

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2024 Pikaia Award

The 2024 Pikaia Award will be presented at the Canadian Palaeontology Conference (CPC).

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This award is one of four offered by the Paleontology Division, along with the Avocational Paleontologist Award, the Billings Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the Thomas E. Bolton Award for an exceptional student presentation at CPC. The awards are be offered in a threeyear cycle, excepting the Bolton Award which will be awarded annually at CPC.

 

To nominate someone for the Avocational Palaeontologist Award please e-mail completed nomination packages to gac.paleontology@gmail.com by Friday, November 8th, 2024. Include ‘Pikaia Award Nomination’ in the subject heading.

 

Each nomination package should include:

  • This completed nomination page

  • Signed Ethical Professional Conduct form from the nominee, indicating that they are in good standing to receive the award

  • The contact information for three references who can speak to the nominee’s contributions to palaeontology. Please ensure these references are available for, and aware of, a potential phone call or e-mail communication during November 2024.

  • A 300-word citation. (Why does this person deserve this award?)

  • OPTIONAL (through recommended): One or more letters of support for the nominee

Recent awardees

2020 - Matthew Clapham

2018 - Ryan McKellar

2016 - Marc Laflamme

2012 - Howard Falcon-Lang

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