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Vancouver - Geoscientists Canada is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2012 Canadian Professional Geoscientist Award - Dr. Bruce E. Broster, P.Geo. of Fredericton, New Brunswick.

The Canadian Professional Geoscientist Award is given to recognize the achievements of an individual, who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and practice of professional geoscience and who has advanced public recognition of the profession in Canada in his or her capacity as a registered professional geoscientist.

To be eligible for the award a nominee must meet a number of specified criteria, which include: a solid career as a professional geoscientist, an outstanding record of voluntary service to the community, and service to Geoscientists Canada or to one of the provincial or territorial professional associations that regulate geoscience in Canada.

The Award, which consists of a labradorite and marble sculpture made by a Canadian geoscientist artist, is given to a person in mid-to-late career.

This year's recipient, Dr. Bruce E. Broster, P.Geo is an accomplished and respected professional geologist who has been involved at every level of his profession from research and teaching, to independent geological consulting and government relations.

Dr. Broster, graduated with a B.Sc. in Earth Sciences from the University of Waterloo in 1974 and received his PhD from the University of Western Ontario in 1982, after which his academic career brought him to positions at the University of British Columbia, the University of Windsor, and finally to the University of New Brunswick (UNB) where he served as Chair of the Department of Earth Sciences. Over the course of his tenure at UNB, he has supervised 14 MSc and 3 PhD students; he has published 44 refereed journal papers, 30 government publications, 109 abstracts, 29 published reports and articles and received more than $1 million in research funding from industry and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Further to his outstanding academic achievements, Dr. Broster, has been a very active volunteer and has served as President to many technical, learned and professional organizations including; Geoscientists Canada, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick, the Geological Association of Canada’s Environmental Earth Science Division, and the Canadian Quaternary Association.

In announcing the award the President of Geoscientists Canada, Tim Corkery, P.Geo, stated “We are delighted that Bruce Broster was chosen by our judges to be this year’s award recipient. Bruce is very well known to many Canadian geoscience organizations both as a dedicated volunteer and wise counsel. Dr. Broster is also highly regarded for his ability to prepare young geoscientists for the opportunities and challenges ahead by effectively bridging the gap between academia and professional practice”. The citation for the 2012 award, which will be presented to Dr. Broster at a later date, will read as follows: "Presented to Bruce Broster, P.Geo in recognition his outstanding contributions to the geoscience profession, its professional associations, academia and industry".

Nominations for this award are considered annually, although the award will not necessarily be presented each year. Further details on the award criteria and nominations process can be obtained from Geoscientists Canada.

The mission of Geoscientists Canada is to develop consistent high standards for licensure and practice of geoscience, to facilitate national and international professional mobility, and to promote recognition of Canadian geoscientists.