June 16, 1997 Contact Ross West (541) 346-2060 Source: Russell Lande, (541) 346-2697 EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to previous plans, Russ Lande is out of town and not available for interview. He will be returning on Wednesday, June 25. A previous MacArthur fellow who works closely with Lande is UO biologist Phil DeVries, (541) 346-5053. Rod Capaldi, head of the UO biology department, is also available for comment, (541) 346-5881. Lande's World Wide Web page, which contains information about his research and publications, is located at <http://biology.uoregon.edu/grad_brochure/Ecology/Lande.html>. EUGENE--University of Oregon biologist Russell S. Lande has received a $250,000 MacArthur Fellowship, also known informally as a "genius grant." This year's grant recipients, 23 in all, were announced today (June 16) by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Among the people named are individuals in fields ranging from evolutionary biology to dance, from telecommunications policy to education. All of this year's fellowship recipients will receive from $150,000 to $375,000 which will be distributed over five years. MacArthur Fellowships are unrestricted, "no strings attached" awards in support of persons, not projects or organizations. Recipients are free to use the awards as they please. The foundation does not require or expect specific products or reports from MacArthur Fellows. Lande is a biologist whose work in quantitative genetics has influenced the work of researchers in many areas of evolutionary biology, including animal and plant breeding systems, extinction processes and sexual selection. At the UO since 1990, Lande is a member of the Department of Biology's ecology and evolution group. He received his bachelor of science degree in 1972 from the University of California, Irvine, and his Ph.D. in 1976 from Harvard University. "I'm honored by this award which recognizes the originality and creativity of the work I've done and its impact on the fields of ecology and evolution," Lande says. What does he expect to do with the award? "The money will be extremely helpful in facilitating a few big projects I want to do," he says. "I want to tie together my earlier work in quantitative genetics and evolution with my more recent interest in sustainable management of natural resources." Perhaps as important as the stipend, he notes, is the recognition. "It is extremely strong encouragement and support to continue my work, some of which is in the politically controversial area of the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable resources management." Three members of the UO faculty are now recipients of the prestigious awards. In addition to Lande, two other members of the biology department have previously been selected: tropical ecologist Phil DeVries and DNA researcher Franklin Stahl. "We are absolutely delighted with this spectacular news," says university President Dave Frohnmayer. "This is a world-class honor for Dr. Lande, for his colleagues in biology and for the entire university community." Individuals cannot apply for MacArthur Fellowships. Instead, each year, the MacArthur Foundation invites up to 125 persons to serve as nominators, or "talent scouts," for the Fellows Program. Nominators are selected for expertise in their respective fields and the ability to identify exceptional creativity. Final approval for MacArthur Fellowships comes from the foundation's Board of Directors. While there are no quotas or limits, typically between 20 and 30 fellows are selected each year. "The creative person is at the heart of a society's capacity to improve the human condition," said Adele Simmons, MacArthur Foundation president. "By supporting these highly talented individuals working in a wide range of fields, the foundation means to honor creative persons everywhere." "I am delighted to have been part of a process that so endorses our hopes for and trust in human creativity," adds Catharine R. Stimpson, director of the MacArthur Fellows Program. Including today's group, a total of 502 fellows have been named since the program began in 1981. They have ranged in age from 18 to 82. The number of active fellows--individuals currently receiving fellowship support--as of today's date is 148. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, with assets of about $3 billion, is a private, independent grantmaking institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. The foundation seeks the development of healthy individuals and effective communities; peace within and among nations; responsible choices about human reproduction; and a global ecosystem capable of supporting healthy human societies. The foundation pursues this mission by supporting research, policy development, dissemination, education and training, and practice. -30- #G-7255/Local,OrDailies,OrSci,PDX