Scripps Professor Named 2008 American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow

David Sandwell Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is one of seven scholars from UC San Diego recently named a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The academy honors the country's leaders in scholarship, business, the arts, and public affairs.  New members will be formally welcomed into the Academy at an induction ceremony in Cambridge, Mass., on Oct. 11, 2008.

A professor of geophysics in the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Scripps Oceanography, Sandwell’s research focuses on mapping large topographic features beneath the ocean using data collected by remote-sensing instruments on satellites orbiting the earth. In conjunction with colleagues, Sandwell developed the most detailed picture to date of the global sea floor, providing scientists with the first uniform resolution view of 70 percent of the earth and opening up new areas of research in marine geology and geophysics.

In addition to research and teaching, Sandwell serves as an advisor to NASA and the National Research Council on marine geophysical initiatives. He received the 2004 George P. Woollard Award from the Geological Society of America, is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and president-elect of the Geodesy section for 2008 through 2010. Sandwell is also a member of the International Association of Geodesy and the Society for Exploration Geophysics, and has published more than 100 scientific papers.

Founded in 1780, the Academy annually elects individuals who have made preeminent contributions to their disciplines and to society at large. The 2008 class of scholars, scientists, artists, civic, corporate, and philanthropic leaders elected as fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences includes 190 new Fellows and 22 new Foreign Honorary Members from 20 states and 15 countries.