Excellence in Research Award, 2022
Natural Resources and the Environment
Scott Ollinger is a world-renowned scholar in forest ecosystem ecology, and his distinguished career at UNH is defined by research that is broad, deep and thought-provoking. He is a scholar in the truest sense of the word, mentoring others, leading groups and sharing his intellectual contributions with openness, integrity and humility.
Ollinger’s nearly 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and many other publications cover topics ranging from the remote sensing of the biochemistry of forest canopies to land use and biogeochemistry at regional and global scales. He has led research teams that have developed innovative methods for scaling ecological relationships from plant to global scales, and he has communicated and presented his work in a wide range of outlets.
According to Google Scholar, his papers have been cited nearly 14,000 times. His h-index of 50 and I-ten index of 89 are numeric indicators of the breadth of his impact. His success with grant proposals is also outstanding, approaching $40 million in total awards. His research efforts have transformed our understanding of forest ecosystem function, from the individual forest stand to the region and the globe.
As a colleague, he is admired for his patience, generosity of spirit and quick wit. His outstanding scholarship informs an equally outstanding record as a teacher, exemplifying the highest ideals of the university. As primary advisor to 20 graduate students, he has helped foster a new generation of inquisitive scientists, and his impact as a scholar and teacher continues to grow.
About this Award
This award acknowledges and honors a member of the UNH faculty who has demonstrated superior creativity and success in his/her research. Research is understood to include activities that result in the generation of new ideas or works of art, the solution of fundamental problems in a particular field, or the discovery of important new facts. This award is based on the quality, originality, and significance of the recipient's scholarly work. Since university faculty are expected to be effective transmitters as well as creators of knowledge, the willingness and ability of the recipient to share knowledge and research skills with colleagues and students should be evident. Each year there will be one Award for Excellence in Research. UNH benefits-eligible faculty members are eligible, except those who have received this award within the last five years.
