Peter Barrett (researcher)
Encyclopedia
Peter Barrett is a geologist
who first rose to fame for discovering the first tetrapod
fossils in Antarctica in 1967.
Barrett first went to the Antarctica with the University of Wisconsin in 1962, but it was during his PhD with the Institute of Polar Studies at Ohio State University
in 1966 and 1968 that Barrett discovered the early Triassic period tetrapod remains. After finishing his PhD, he took up a postdoctoral fellowship at Victoria University of Wellington
to run an Antarctic expedition. Recent research has been core sampling in the Antarctic
to determine historical conditions.
He is currently professor in the Antarctic Research Centre
at Victoria University of Wellington
and was director of the ARC from its founding in 1972 until 2007. For many years he was the New Zealand
representative on Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
.
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
who first rose to fame for discovering the first tetrapod
Tetrapod
Tetrapods are vertebrate animals having four limbs. Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are all tetrapods; even snakes and other limbless reptiles and amphibians are tetrapods by descent. The earliest tetrapods evolved from the lobe-finned fishes in the Devonian...
fossils in Antarctica in 1967.
Barrett first went to the Antarctica with the University of Wisconsin in 1962, but it was during his PhD with the Institute of Polar Studies at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in 1966 and 1968 that Barrett discovered the early Triassic period tetrapod remains. After finishing his PhD, he took up a postdoctoral fellowship at Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
to run an Antarctic expedition. Recent research has been core sampling in the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
to determine historical conditions.
He is currently professor in the Antarctic Research Centre
Antarctic Research Centre
The Antarctic Research Centre is part of the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington. Its mission is to research "Antarctic climate history and processes, and their influence on the global climate system." Its current director is Professor Tim...
at Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
and was director of the ARC from its founding in 1972 until 2007. For many years he was the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
representative on Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research is an interdisciplinary body of the International Council for Science . It was established in February 1958 to continue the international coordination of Antarctic scientific activities that had begun during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58...
.
Awards and Honors
- 2004 the Marsden MedalMarsden MedalThe Marsden Medal is a yearly award given by the New Zealand Association of Scientists. It honors "a lifetime of outstanding service to the cause or profession of science, in recognition of service rendered to the cause or profession of science in the widest connotation of the phrase." It rivals...
for his lifetime contributions to science in New Zealand. In 2006 he received the SCAR President's Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Antarctic Science. - 2006 the SCARScientific Committee on Antarctic ResearchThe Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research is an interdisciplinary body of the International Council for Science . It was established in February 1958 to continue the international coordination of Antarctic scientific activities that had begun during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58...
President's Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Antarctic Science. - 2010 the New Zealand Antarctic MedalNew Zealand Antarctic MedalThe New Zealand Antarctic Medal was created 1 September 2006, as a New Zealand Royal Honour to replace the British Polar Medal.-History:The Polar Medal was instituted in 1904 and awarded to those who had made notable contributions to the exploration and knowledge of Polar Regions and who, in doing...
. - 2011 made an Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society.