Category: Research Communications Award

Holly Bik, associate professor in the Franklin College Department of Marine Sciences, is a nationally recognized scientist-communicator whose work sets a high standard for research communication and public engagement. A marine biologist and bioinformatician, Bik studies the diversity and evolution of nematodes—microscopic worms that play essential roles in ocean ecosystems—and has developed innovative ways to make this complex research accessible to broad audiences. Her most distinctive communications effort accompanied a 2023 research expedition to East Antarctica, where her team collected nematodes from seafloor sediments to study adaptation in extreme environments. Confronted with limited internet connectivity, Bik pioneered the use of WhatsApp as a low-bandwidth outreach platform, sharing daily mini-blog posts that provided real-time insights into Antarctic science and life at sea. The project reached thousands of participants in more than 40 countries, engaged classrooms worldwide, and drew coverage in Nature. Through creativity, rigor, and reach, Bik transforms specialized research into shared discovery.

Research Communications Award 2025

Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering, is a globally recognized researcher and communicator specializing in plastic pollution and materials management. Her unique ability to blend scientific rigor with effective communication has elevated public understanding and policy action on environmental sustainability worldwide. Jambeck’s groundbreaking studies, including the 2015 revelation that 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the Earth’s oceans annually, have been extensively covered by major outlets such as NPR, BBC, The New York Times, and National Geographic. Her publications have been cited over 37,000 times, ranking among the top in their fields, and her work has been instrumental in United Nations treaty negotiations, global policy workshops, and the creation of circular economy frameworks through her Circularity Assessment Protocol. As the creator of the Marine Debris Tracker app, Jambeck has facilitated global citizen science efforts, leading to extensive data collection in 100 countries.