Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) researchers Robert “JJ” Orth and Deborah Bronk have both recently won major awards for their contributions to the scientific community.

Northam named Orth one of three Virginia Outstanding Scientists for 2018.

Orth was named one of Virginia’s three Outstanding Scientists for 2018. Gov. Ralph Northam and Richard Conti, Chief Wonder Officer at the Science Museum of Virginia, announced the awards. The award is meant to honor those who help Virginia’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) reputation and make significant contributions to their field.

Orth was part of the team that recently published a groundbreaking paper on the recovery of underwater grasses in the Bay (our CRAB story). Orth is also credited with creating the VIMS Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring and Restoration Program in 1978, which serves as a major measurement for reaching Chesapeake Bay Program goals.

W&M Alumni Magazine Photo

Orth was not the only VIMS scientist to win an award this month. Professor Deborah Bronk was selected as an outstanding faculty member by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The award honors faculty who exhibit the highest level of scholarship, teaching, mentoring, public service, and research.

Bronk has focused her research on the role of nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems, including more than 50 research expeditions and pioneering new techniques for measuring nitrogen and methods for removing organic nitrogen from wastewater. At VIMS, Bronk has taught several graduate-level courses and served on numerous boards. Bronk left VIMS to become President & CEO of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine.