At our most recent meeting in Helsinki, Scott Gilbert, Howard A. Schneiderman ’48 Professor Emeritus in Biology and Finland Distinguished Professor, emeritus, at the University of Helsinki, has received the biennial award of the Society. Biennial awards of the Society are given for outstanding contributions to the field of evolutionary developmental biology.

From the nominations: “Scott Gilbert has authored several textbooks in developmental biology, evolutionary developmental biology and ecological (evolutionary) developmental biology and just because of that, he has already widely contributed to the spread of our discipline across generations of scholars … In the nineties he has contributed to the conceptual formation of a new and more robust evolutionary synthesis which includes embryology. … More recently, he has argued that the holobiont is an important unit of evolutionary selection, which raises doubts on still common views on the role of the genotype and genetic control in individuation … Particularly appreciated are also his efforts to point out the importance of considering the science of development and embryology in general discussions in society.”.