An American Research Scientist,Dr. Melvin T. Tyree

will be awarded the Marcus Wallenberg Prize of 2 million Swedish Crowns for 2002 in recognition of his pioneering scientific discoveries leading to basic understanding of water relation in trees. His pathbreaking research has elucidated the hydraulic architecture and mechanisms of water transport in a wide range of temperate and tropical trees.

Major achievements:

Dr. Tyree’s scientific work has been fundamental to the understanding of stress- induced mal-function of water transport in trees. He has developed the theoretical basis as well as methods to analyse water relations of trees; Dr. Tyree’s work has contributed to the understanding hydraulic transport as well as the importance of cavitation in ecology and physiology of trees. Dr. Tyree’s work gives basic perspectives on the evolution of wood structure and on the distribution of trees in forests around the world.

Personal background:

Dr.. Tyree was born in 1946. He graduated from Pomona College, Claremont, California with a B.A.degree in Physical Chemistry in 1968 and holds a Ph.D.degree in Plant Biophysics from. Cambridge University, U.K (1972). At present he holds a position as Superrvisory Plant Physiologist and Project Leader at USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station in Vermont. He is also adjunct professor (and member of the graduate College of the Department of Botany at the University of Vermont, Burlington, and works as adjunct staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

The Marcus Wallenberg Prize

The Marcus Wallenberg Prize, an international award, was established in 1980 by the Swedish Forest Company, Stora Kopparbergs Bergslags AB, now merged with the Finnish company Enso as Stora Enso. From January 1, 2002, the Prize will be legally independent from Stora Enso and will be financially dependent on the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation.

The Prize was instituted to recognize, encourage and stimulate research and development of a pioneering nature that significantly increases knowledge and technological progress in areas affecting the forestry and forest products industries.

To honour Dr.Marcus Wallenberg who served both as a member and Chairman of the STORA Board of Directors for many years, the Prize carries his name.

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf will present the Marcus Wallenberg Prize to Dr.Tyree at a ceremony to be held in Stockholm on September 26 this year. This is the 19th occasion at which the Prize will be awarded.

Further information please contact:

Dr. Hansjörg Kessler, Secretary of the MWP Selection Committee,

telephone:
+49 211 581 2592
+46 23 782 166 (MWP Secretariat)

You can read more about the Marcus Wallenberg Prize on the Internet at
the following address:
www.mwp.org.

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