14 - European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling

ECORD Newsletter # 14 - May 2010 - www.ecord.org 11For the first time, we have issued a call for applicationsfor ECORD Research Grants, merit-based awards foroutstanding graduate students to conduct research relatedto the IODP. These consist of small and short-term grants,which should cover travel and lab expenses. ESSAC hasstarted to review these applications.ESSAC has been active in the very successful ESFMagellan Workshop Series. Two ESF Magellansponsoredworkshops were held in late 2009 (pages 12-13).A workshop on “Pliocene Climate” was held in Bordeaux,France (October 23-25, 2009; Convenors Johan Etourneauand Nabil Khelefi), and a workhop on “IODP Drillingof the ‘Shackleton sites’ on the Iberian Margin” was heldin Lisbon, Portugal (November 9-10, 2009; ConvenorFatima Abrantes).During EGU 2010 in Vienna, we will organiseEuroFORUM 2010, an Interdivision Session dealingwith major achievements and perspectives in ocean andcontinental drilling. Oral presentations are scheduled forTuesday May 4 from 15.30 to 17.00h, followed by a postersession.In conclusion, while preparing the next ESSAC meeting,which will be held on May 26-27, 2010 in Tromsø, we –Jenny as Science Coordinator and myself as Chair - wouldlike to mention that we are very satisfied with the smoothtransition of the ESSAC Office from Aix en Provence toBremerhaven, and we thank all the ESSAC delegates andthe other IODP/ECORD bodies for active cooperationduring the last months. We hope that this constructiveand efficient cooperation between all of us will continueduring the coming months which are so important forthe planning of the new post-2013 scientific drillingprogram.Rüdiger (Rudy) Stein, ESSAC ChairJeannette (Jenny) Lezius, ESSAC Science Coordinatorhttp://www.essac.ecord.orgSönke Neben (1962 – 2009)Sönke Neben unexpectedly passed awayon November 13, 2009, at the age ofonly 47. Sönke served as German andlater ECORD representative in the SiteSurvey Panel (SSP) for almost 6 years. Heis survived by his wife Gabi Uenzelmann-Neben, present ECORD representative inthe SSP, and his son Leif (15).Sönke began his academic career as ageophysics student at the Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel, where hegraduated in 1993. In the same year hewas employed at the Federal Institutefor Geoscience and Natural Ressources (BGR)in Hannover. He took part in numerous marineexpeditions, often as chief scientist. His scientificachievements, especially those focussing on the SouthAtlantic and Antarctic passive continental margins,are internationally respected milestones. Sönke was atrue and perfect networker. His technical and logisticalknowledge made him the perfect member of scientificcommissions such as the DFG Senate Commissionfor Oceanography, the R/V Sonne review panel, andcommissions planning the R/V Maria S. Merian andthe I/B Aurora Borealis. Consequently, Sönke moved toBremerhaven in 2009 to lead the logisticsgroup of the Alfred Wegener Institute forPolar and Marine Research (AWI), withresponsibility for all of the ship logistics ofAWI. After 16 years of commuting betweenhis home in Bremerhaven and Hannover,this was not only a logical step in his career,it also gave Sönke the opportunity to spendmore time with his loved family. He was sohappy about this change in his life, whichthen lasted for less than a year…Sönke was a modest, sometimes quiet butalways helpful colleague. He loved a coldglass of Northern German Pils beer, had a great senseof humour, and probably was never among the first toleave the traditional pub crawls in harbour after cominghome from a month-long expedition. His profoundsmile will never be forgotten.Sönke will be sorely missed by his colleagues andfriends from ECORD, IODP and many others in themarine scientific community worldwide.Jochen Erbacher, BGR Hannover and Rüdiger Stein,AWI Bremerhaven.