The NASBR Spallanzani Award

The Spallanzani Award may be awarded annually, as funds permit, to assist persons from outside North America (Mexico, Canada, and the United States) to attend the North American Symposium on Bat Research. In a single year, no more than one awardee may be appointed from any one of the following regions: Africa, Asia, Caribbean Islands (US affiliated islands eligible), Meso-America, South America, Oceania (including US affiliated islands), and Eastern Europe.

Lazzaro Spallanzani (10 January 1729 - 12 February 1799) was an Italian biologist and physiologist who made important contributions to the experimental study of bodily functions, animal reproduction, and essentially discovered echolocation. Spallanzani is famous for extensive experiments on bat navigation in complete darkness. He concluded that bats use sound and their ears for navigation in total darkness, though his study was limited to what he could observe. Spallanzani went through the senses one by one, trying to discover which one governed bats habits. Through the process of elimination, he found that plugging up the bats' ears rendered them directionless. Spallanzani's theory of echolocation wasn't explained until 1941, when Donald R. Griffin first described bat's sensitivity to sound waves.

Nominations

Nominations may be submitted to the Selection Committee by any NASBR member (defined in bylaws of NASBR). The open period for nominations for the following year starts at the NASBR annual meeting and continues for a period of two months from the closing date of the annual meeting. It is the responsibility of the person making a nomination to provide sufficient written information supporting the nomination (e.g. a detailed letter of support, CV, or other documentation). A person may not self-nominate their candidacy.