These students comprise the ninth class of Scholars for The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program. The program encourages innovative research on scientific problems critical to national parks by annually awarding eight US$78,000 scholarships to support the education and research expenses of graduate students for three years.

A collaboration among Canon U.S.A., Inc., the National Park Service (NPS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the scholarship program selects students from the disciplines of biological sciences, physical sciences, social and cultural sciences, and technology innovation in support of conservation science. Four honorable mentions were also selected by the international review panel convened by the AAAS.

"We are enthused and energized to welcome this new group of outstanding young scientists to the program," said Dr. Gary Machlis, Canon Scholars program coordinator and NPS visiting senior scientist. "Their selection by the AAAS recognizes the scientific merit of their projects, which will benefit national parks throughout the Americas."

The 2005 recipients are studying places and topics that include ecologically critical regions in Florida's Everglades National Park; whether invasive species in Canada's Kluane National Park cause the greatest loss of native species in areas protected from land-use change; and the interconnections between populations of fish and invertebrate species on either side of the California-Mexico international border. Canon Scholars have conducted research in more than 69 national parks and have published and presented more than 219 scientific articles.

"As a member of the world co
'"/>

Contact: Lonnie Shekhtman
lshekhtm@aaas.org
202-326-6434
American Association for the Advancement of Science
21-Dec-2005