Gaugler said he was pleasantly surprised to have been selected for the prestigious award. "The recipients are some of the biggest names in science, giants in their field," he said. "I've received awards in my area, but this transcends the traditional agricultural disciplines."

Among the 15 recipients of the award are six Nobel Prize laureates in fields ranging from economics to physics, and one Turing Award winner. Recipients are chosen yearly from a pool of nominees by a panel chaired by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) President Lu Yongxiang. The award winners are invited to visit the CAS, give academic lectures in their respective fields and to host postdoctoral-level researchers as part of an academic exchange.

"Randy has long been recognized as a leader in his field, so it is highly gratifying to see his hard work and dedication recognized in this way," said Philip Furmanski, executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

That the CAS recognized Gaugler's contributions to entomology speaks volumes of his international reputation, said Robert Goodman, dean of Rutgers' Cook College. "This award is a fitting recognition of Randy's career achievements, and I am extremely pleased and proud that he has been chosen."

Gaugler is an expert and leader in insect pathology, particularly in the area of insect control by biological means, also known as entomopathology. He has pioneered the use of nematodes (a phylum of microscopic worms that are parasitic in animals or plants) as a replacement for chemical insecticides. Laboratory or field applications of nematodes have been effective against more than 400 pest species. In addition, Gaugler was a key player in securing U.S. Environm
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Contact: Michele Hujber
hujber@aesop.rutgers.edu
732-932-9559
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
12-Sep-2005