Janet Herman

University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | 1996

Janet Herman Portrait Photo

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. Awardees may choose to provide their latest biographical information on their profile page.

Herman is Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia and has established herself firmly as a role model and mentor for geoscientists and geoscience educators at her home institution and more broadly. Nominated by the Association of Women in Science, her accomplishments include: I. Advising approximately 55 students of which 40 percent are women, four of whom were mentored to the Ph.D. level, 17 to the M.S. level, and two at the B.S./B.A. level; II. An excellent publication record in environmental geochemistry, strong service on a number of national committees and on several editorial boards; emphasis of research experience in her mentoring of women and minority students; III. Innovative science teaching approaches at all levels -- has developed an effective videotape aimed at helping Earth Science teachers cover the topic of Groundwater effectively; is a resource for geoscience education for much of the primary school system in Charlottesville and surrounding counties; IV. Creation of the Program for Interdisciplinary Research in Contaminant Hydrogeology (PIRCH), which has resulted in significant NSF Traineeship and University of Virginia Academic Enhancement Program support, especially for women and minority graduate students; and V. Strong letters of support from students.