May 8, 2013, Tucson, Ariz. — The Planetary Science Institute is pleased to establish an annual award that will support and encourage graduate students to build international collaborations and relationships in planetary science.

The Pierazzo International Student Travel Award is being announced today in memory of PSI Senior Scientist Betty Pierazzo, an expert in the area of impact modeling throughout the solar system, as well as an expert on the astrobiological and environmental effects of impacts on Earth and Mars. In addition to her research, she was passionate about education, teaching and public outreach, developing planetary-related classroom materials, professional development workshops for teachers, and teaching college-level classes herself. Betty believed in the strength of broad collaborations in all of her research and education activities. This award memorializes the scope of how she lived her life and the good she sought to bring to our profession and communities.

Two awards will be made each year, contingent upon there being meritorious applications. One will be awarded to a graduate student working on his or her Ph.D. at an institution within the United States to support travel to a planetary science related meeting (conferences and workshops) outside of the U.S. The second award will be to a graduate student working on his or her Ph.D. at an institution outside of the U.S., which will be used to support travel to a planetary science, related meeting within the U.S.

Each award will consist of a certificate and up to $2,000.

The subject matter of the work by the recipient of the Pierazzo International Student Travel Award may be in any area of planetary science.

“I am very pleased that at a time when support for international conference travel has been cut back by NASA, PSI can offer an opportunity for graduate students to meet and build possibly life-long relationships with planetary colleagues from other countries,” said Mark Sykes, PSI CEO and Director. “Solar system exploration is increasingly international. We honor Betty by helping build bridges between the U.S. and other nations with this award.”

Visit www.psi.edu/pista for more information on the Pierazzo International Student Travel Award. For information on contributing to the Betty Pierazzo Memorial Fund please visit http://www.psi.edu/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3

CONTACT:
Mark V. Sykes
Director
520-622-6300
sykes@psi.edu