On June 2nd, Professor Dai Shifeng from CUMTB received a letter from Professor Mark G. Little, President of the Geological Society of America, congratulating him on being awarded the Gilbert H. Cady Prize. The Gilbert H. Cady Prize, established by the Geological Society of America to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of coal geology, is typically awarded to one scientist annually. Professor Dai Shifeng is the 43rd recipient of this award since its establishment in 1971 and the first Chinese awardee. Previous recipients were primarily from the United States, with only two awardees from Australia, one from Canada, and one from Spain. Professor Dai Shifeng's achievement signifies the significant international academic impact of Chinese scholars in the field of coal geology. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting on October 15-18, 2023.
It is reported that six distinguished scholars from the United States, Australia, Russia, and China have nominated Professor Dai Shifeng for the Gilbert H. Cady Prize.
In a nomination letter, Professor Robert B. Finkelman, the 2004 Gilbert H. Cady Prize recipient and a professor at the United States Geological Survey, stated, “In my opinion, over the past decade, Professor Dai Shifeng from China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing has had the greatest global impact on coal science.” He continued, 'Professor Dai has published impressive works on coal science, greatly enhancing knowledge in coal geochemistry and other related topics, attracting attention from the industry, politics, and decision-makers in various disciplines.”
Professor James C. Hower, the 2006 Gilbert H. Cady Prize recipient and a professor at the University of Kentucky in the United States, wrote in the nomination letter, “Except for a few well-known scientists, this award is generally given to coal geologists in North America, but Professor Dai Shifeng's credentials are remarkable. Through collaboration with North American scientists and the value of his contributions, he has had a significant impact on coal geology in North America. Dr. Dai's publication and research record are outstanding, surpassing that of most scientists who are 10 to 15 years older than him. It is a great honor for me to nominate a truly deserving individual, and as such, this award has become the most prestigious recognition for coal geologists.”
Professor Maria Mastalerz, the 2008 Gilbert H. Cady Prize recipient and a professor at the Indiana Geological Survey and Indiana University in the United States, wrote in the nomination letter, “His research on minerals, trace elements, and rare earth elements in coal is the foremost source of data and research ideas on these topics.”
Dr. Victor Nechaev from the Far East Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences wrote in the nomination letter, “Professor Dai is a renowned, world-class researcher, focusing on coal geology in China and worldwide. His exceptional contributions to the genesis of coal deposits, including those in widely representative U.S. coal basins, play a crucial role in the development of high-tech industries requiring new strategic metal resources.”
