Two Alaska Fisheries Science Center Scientists received the Department of Commerce 2019 Gold Medal Award, the highest honor that can be granted by the Secretary of Commerce.
The Gold Medal recognizes distinguished performance and extraordinary, notable or prestigious contributions that advance the mission of the Department of Commerce.
Fisheries biologist Kresimir Williams received the Gold Medal for Scientific and Engineering Achievement for his contributions to developing the first open-source toolkit for automated image analysis to harness big data for marine ecosystem science and ocean stewardship.
Marine mammal scientist Jeff Harris was awarded the Gold Medal for Heroism for the courageous act of saving the lives of three people who had abandoned a burning vessel on Puget Sound and could not swim to safety.
Award recipients will be honored at the 71st Annual Honor Award Ceremony on October 16, 2019 at the Herbert C. Hoover Building Auditorium, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC.
