The International Diffuse Reflectance Conference, sponsored by the Council for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, will take place online from 31 July 31 to 5 August 2022 (www.idrc-chambersburg.org). The Awards Committee of the Council for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (CNIRS) is requesting nominations and submissions for four award categories.
The Gerald S. Birth Award for outstanding innovation in diffuse reflection or diffuse transmission spectroscopy is conferred and sponsored by the Council for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (CNIRS) in memory of Gerald Birth. The late Dr Birth was the founder of the International Diffuse Reflectance Conference (IDRC), also sponsored by the CNIRS. He made many contributions to the instrument technology related to diffuse reflectance. This award recognises a specific accomplishment in advancing the Art and Science of Near Infrared Spectroscopy by a research scientist. All scientists performing research in Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy or in Diffuse Transmission Spectroscopy in the visible, NIR or mid-IR regions are eligible for the award. The award-winning work must have been published between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021. The awardee (practicing or retired) may be (or have been) affiliated with industry, academia, government or have another suitable affiliation. Undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers are not eligible. The awardee must be able to present the award-winning work during the online IDRC Conference. The award entails an honorarium of $2000. The Birth Award is granted at the sole discretion of the CNIRS and the scientific panel and may not be awarded if appropriate.
The Young Scientist Award, sponsored by Avian Technologies LLC, recognises excellence in diffuse reflectance research performed by currently enrolled graduate and post-doctoral students. The $750 prize will be awarded during the International Diffuse Reflectance Conference where the awardee will present the work being recognised. Students should submit their nomination package with a description of the research, impact to the field and innovation statement written by the candidate (two pages max), a letter of support by the academic adviser (one page) and publication(s) (if applicable).
Honorary Membership in the CNIRS: Honorary Members are persons who have made exceptional contributions to near infrared spectroscopy and have been voted into their membership by the Governing Board of CNIRS. No more than two Honorary Members can be named in any fiscal year. Nominations and supporting documentation are to be submitted to the Awards Committee.
Nominations and supporting material, from within the international spectroscopy community at large, for any of the above three awards should be sent to [email protected]. The deadline for all nomination materials to reach the Awards Committees is 13 May 2022. Awardees will be announced by 10 June 2022.
Poster Awards: The conference will provide attendees the opportunity to present posters throughout the week. To be eligible for the awards, students and professionals (including post-doctoral students) must have their poster abstracts submitted by 1 July 2022. The award committee will consider all posters that relate to the study of diffuse reflectance. The conference will award $100 for the “best” poster, $75 for second place and $50 for third place in the student and in the professional categories.
