Contact:	Leslie Shively, 277-9337 Steve Carr, 277-1821
May 1, 2002 UNM BIOLOGY PROFESSOR JAMES BROWN EARNS MACARTHUR AWARD HONORED MAY 2 BY COLLEAGUE FOR RESERVIST SUPPORT University of New Mexico Distinguished Professor of Biology James H. Brown, one of the world's most renowned ecologists, has been given the prestigious Robert H. MacArthur Award from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). The MacArthur Award is given biannually to an established ecologist in mid-career for meritorious research contributions to ecology. The recipient is invited to give an address at the ESA annual meeting and to prepare a written version that will be published as a featured paper in the journal Ecology. Brown says, "It is a great honor to receive this prestigious award. It is especially meaningful to me because Robert MacArthur was very encouraging and influential to me early in my career." A prolific researcher with five books to his credit, Brown is known for his long-term experimental studies in the Chihuahuan Desert and for his theoretical work in macroecology and biological scaling. He also has a profound influence on the field of ecology through his teaching. He is co-author of the leading textbook on biogeography and has mentored numerous Ph.D. students. Brown has been at UNM since 1987. In addition, at a ceremony tomorrow, Thursday, May 2, at 11 a.m. in UNM's Castetter Hall, rm. 163B, Brown will receive a Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation for supporting the efforts of his assistant, Leslie Shively, a Navy reservist. "This is a great opportunity for some interface between the public and the local reserves," Shively said. ###

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