Society dedicated to the study of caves honors professor for a lifetime of achievement
Dr. Hazel Barton, a professor at The University of Akron and 2020 recipient of the National Speleological Society Science Award.
Dr. Hazel Barton, professor of biology and director of the Integrated Bioscience Ph.D. program, was named the 2020 recipient of the National Speleological Society Science Award.
Presented annually, the award recognizes one society member who, over time, has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the scientific study of caves.
Barton’s research is geared toward understanding microbially-driven processes in cave environments. It has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and the National Park Service (see Barton's cave science site).
Barton is also an accomplished cave explorer, having explored caves in 37 countries, a past director of the society, vice chair of the Board of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, and an award-winning cave cartographer.
With 10,000 members and 250 chapters, the National Speleological Society is the largest organization in the world that furthers the exploration, study and protection of caves.