The Rohlf Medal was established in 2006 by the family and friends of F. James Rohlf to mark his 70th birthday. He has been a longtime Stony Brook University faculty member and is currently Emeritus Distinguished Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution, and Research Professor in the Department of Anthropology.
Recipients of the Rohlf Medal will be recognized for excellence in their sustained body of work on the development of new morphometric methods and their applications in the biomedical sciences, including evolutionary biology, population biology, physical anthropology, and medicine. The term "morphometrics" is intended to include high-dimensional pattern analyses of biological shape, especially those that analyze shape in a comprehensive way, or of covariation of shape with other variables. The award can recognize a body of work that has significantly advanced the field, including: mathematical or statistical theory underlying morphometric methods, software that implements or visualizes new methods, or a body of biological findings that rely crucially on contemporary morphometric methods and represent major advances in approach.
Candidates for the Rohlf Medal may be self-nominated or nominated by others. They must possess a Ph.D. degree or the equivalent. Nominations (at this stage only name, email and a 25-50 word rationale) should be submitted here.
The winning candidate must agree to attend the award ceremony in person in order to accept the Rohlf Medal and then deliver the award lecture.
Nomination packages will be requested by the Award Committee and should include:
- a description of the body of work (not to exceed two pages) on which the candidacy is based,
- pdf versions of up to 3 relevant papers and/or software products,
- a curriculum vitae, and
- the names and emails of two potential references (letters are not needed yet).
Nominating packages should be submitted to the Rohlf Medal committee by 5 pm, EDT, 1 July of 2025 to be assured of full consideration. Note that upon request nominations from prior years can be retained (although updates of some of the information will likely be needed).
The successful candidate will receive the Rohlf Medal and a cash prize at Stony Brook University, planned for October 22nd, 2025. She or he will deliver a lecture that is appropriate for a broad audience, ranging from the exact sciences to the humanities, concerning the morphometric methodology, software, or findings for which the Rohlf Medal was awarded.
If you have questions about this nomination or need other information, please contact Committee Chair Dr. Eric Delson.