The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) named Dr. Sabine Grunwald the recipient of its 2023 Soil Science Research Award. Grunwald is a Professor of Pedometrics, Landscape Analysis, and GIS, in the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES). She also holds an affiliate faculty appointment in the UF School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Dr. Grunwald received a M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University Giessen, Germany. She is internationally recognized as an authority in pedometrics, digital soil mapping, AI-based soil-environmental modeling, and soil carbon dynamics.
“Frontiers in soil sciences have always inspired me to develop novel models and integrative approaches that bring forth a new understanding of soil ecosystems and soil health. I am grateful to all graduate students, postdocs, and colleagues with whom I have collaborated on many research projects in my academic career.”
Dr. Grunwald has authored a total of 212 peer-reviewed publications and has given more than 497 presentations at international, national, and regional conferences. She provided leadership as Associate Editor for the Soil Science Society of America Journal, Board member of Geoderma, Vice Chair of Commission Pedometrics of the International Union of Soil Sciences, and Chair of the American Society of Agronomy Community Global Digital Soil Map. She has conducted research nationally and internationally including in India, Africa, Brazil, and Peru.
Nominating a “Global Leader”
Dr. Samira Daroub, Director of the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) and SWES Professor of Soil and Environmental Chemistry, nominated Grunwald for the award, calling her “a global leader in digital soil modeling and pedometrics.”
“As one of the few women in pedometrics, Dr. Grunwald has made a difference to transform soil science through research on proximal soil sensing, soil carbon AI modeling, and geospatial technologies applied to soil science,” Dr. Daroub said. “Her work is benefiting stakeholders, farmers, students, and the scientific community. It was my privilege to nominate her for this award.”
The Soil Science Research Award recognizes outstanding research contributions in soil science. The awards committee evaluates candidates based on several criteria. Those include their demonstration of research creativity as well as the originality and significance of research to basic soil science.
Dr. Grunwald received the award at the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meeting. The 2023 gathering took place in St. Louis, Missouri, held October 29 to November 1.
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