Lonnie Thompson, distinguished university professor of earth sciences, and Ellen Mosley-Thompson, distinguished university professor of geography and director of the Byrd Polar Research Center, have been selected 2012 Franklin Institute Laureates by The Franklin Institute. The Thompsons join seven other scientists, all pioneers in their field, to be honored for their discoveries and achievements in science, technology and business during the annual Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 26, 2012.

Founded in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of America's oldest and premier centers of science education and development in the country. Since 1824, the institute has honored the greatest men and women of science, engineering, and technology. The Franklin Institute Awards are among the oldest and most prestigious comprehensive science awards in the world.

The Thompsons' award citation reads:

"For their contributions to our understanding of the Earth's climate history from the chemical and physical properties of ice cores, which have demonstrated the important role of the low latitudes in global climate change and earth system dynamics . Through their remarkable accomplishments, these individuals have positively impacted the quality of human life and deepened our understanding of the universe."

This is just the latest honor bestowed on this husband-wife team of researchers. In 2008, they were named winners of the Dan David Prize, and in 2002 were chosen for the respected Common Wealth Award for Science and Invention. Both are members of the National Academy of Sciences and both are Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Lonnie Thompson received the Heineken Prize for Environmental Science in 2002, given by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences; the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 2005, and the Vega Medal in 2002 from the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography. In 2009, he was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Ellen Mosley-Thompson was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2011, the American Philosophical Society in 2009 and is a Fellow in the American Geophysical Union. She is also a member of the National Research Council's-National Academy of Sciences' Polar Research Board.

The rich tradition of The Franklin Institute Awards dates back to 1824.

Read the entire press release, courtesy of Earle Holland, Research Communications, http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/franklinmedal.htm