Philly entomologist honored by Mongolian government
For 15 years, entomologist Jon Gelhaus has been investigating aquatic insects in Mongolia. The idea is to identify the insects that live in or near freshwater, document their diversity and then use that to help determine patterns in evolution, ecology and water quality.Gelhaus is an evolutionary biologist and a curator in the entomology department of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
Today, the Academy announced that he had received the “Best Scientist in Nature and Environment” medal from the Mongolian Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism for his work.
Gelhaus is leading the project and is working with researchers at universities in the U.S., Europe and Mongolia. According to the Academy, part of the goal is to improve scientific facilities for identification and analysis of biological samples; enhance water quality monitoring standards, and train young Mongolian scientists and students to carry on the work of the initiative.
A specialty for Gelhaus is crane flies, which resemble giant mosquitos. They are one of the oldest and most varied groups of flies on earth. They live all over the world, except in the farthest reaches of the Arctic and Antarctica, and Gelhaus has traveled extensively to study them.
Oddly enough, in 1994, he discovered a species long believed to be extinct that was very close to home: Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was breeding along a stream.
In one particular area of Mongolia, Gelhaus identified 95 species of crane flies, 13 of which are new discoveries and known only to Mongolia.
Today, the Academy announced that he had received the “Best Scientist in Nature and Environment” medal from the Mongolian Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism for his work.
Gelhaus is leading the project and is working with researchers at universities in the U.S., Europe and Mongolia. According to the Academy, part of the goal is to improve scientific facilities for identification and analysis of biological samples; enhance water quality monitoring standards, and train young Mongolian scientists and students to carry on the work of the initiative.
A specialty for Gelhaus is crane flies, which resemble giant mosquitos. They are one of the oldest and most varied groups of flies on earth. They live all over the world, except in the farthest reaches of the Arctic and Antarctica, and Gelhaus has traveled extensively to study them.
Oddly enough, in 1994, he discovered a species long believed to be extinct that was very close to home: Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was breeding along a stream.
In one particular area of Mongolia, Gelhaus identified 95 species of crane flies, 13 of which are new discoveries and known only to Mongolia.
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