Melissa Bunte, a second year graduate student working toward her Master of Science degree in Geological Science in the School of Earth and Space Exploration, was recently honored for her presentation at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). Her presentation, "Geologic Mapping of the Zal Region of Io," was selected for Honorable Mention in the poster presentations for the 2008 Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Paper Awards.

"This is the first year that I have participated in the LPI LPSC conference," says Bunte, who has successfully defended her thesis and will be graduating in May 2008. "Receiving the Dwornik Award is a great honor. LPSC is the largest gathering of planetary scientists and I am pleased to count myself among this scientific community." Bunte is also a member of the American Astronomical Sciences Division of Planetary Sciences.

"My advisory committee has been very supportive of my work and has provided insight and advice that has culminated in this research," says Bunte, whose research focuses on mapping volcanic regions on Io to investigate the geologic processes that formed the regions.

"Melissa is an outstanding student who has keen scientific insight into planetary research," says Regents' Professor Ronald Greeley, Bunte's advisor. "Her recognition at LPSC is well-deserved and we look forward to her continued success as she enters our Ph.D. program in the School of Earth and Space Exploration."

With 48 total entries (24 poster and 24 oral) this year, it was not an easy task for the Dwornik Award panel. The Dwornik Award was started in 1991 with a generous endowment by Dr. Stephen E. Dwornik, who wished to encourage American students to become involved with NASA and planetary science. The Award consists of a plaque and a $500 check, and is given for the best student presentations (one each for poster and oral) at the annual conference.