See the
Castaņo Award
history and recipients

You are invited to nominate the scientist of your choice for the 2012 John Castaņo Honorary Membership Award, The Society for Organic Petrology's highest honor. The award acknowledges distinction in a scientific discipline of significance to the Society, in recognition of contributions in research, service to TSOP, or education. The John Castaņo Honorary Membership conveys life membership in the Society. It is named in honor of John Castaņo, one of our most active Houston-based founding members. John served as inaugural Vice-President, and later, as President of TSOP. He was an organizer of three TSOP meetings in the Houston area, and was made an Honorary Member in 1995. John served TSOP in many capacities until his death in 1997; a memorial article was published in the June 1997 issue of the TSOP Newsletter.

If you would like to suggest a candidate for the 2011 Castaņo Honorary Membership Award, please submit a letter of recommendation and a brief vita of the nominee to
    Dr. Judith Potter
    Vice President, TSOP
    JP PetroGraphics
    90 Patterson Close SW
    Calgary, Alberta T3H 3K2
    Canada
          E-mail: jpp@sitogeo.com
by May 30, 2012.
It is suggested that supporting letters of recommendation from colleagues and other scientists accompany the package. Emphasis should be placed on the significance of the nominee's work.

Nominations are reviewed by the Castaņo Award Committee (chaired by the TSOP Vice-President) and results are announced at the Annual Meeting. The selection process is confidential and nominees do not have to be former or current TSOP members.

The committee evaluates research, service and educational impact on the following criteria:
- Research contributions include work that demonstrates a high degree of originality and serves to advance the science of organic petrology or related disciplines. Nominees must possess a sustained international record of professional publication and achievement.
- Nominees recommended for service must demonstrate significant contributions to TSOP in a leadership role. Their service must have enabled the Society to stimulate interest and promote innovative research in its fields of science. Contributions include educational activities, administrative duties, or the development of the Society.
- Nominees recommended for education must demonstrate a high degree of dedication and significant impact as a teacher of organic petrology or related disciplines.