The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award

First Award presented posthumously to Devra Kleiman in 2014 at the AZA Annual Conference in Orlando.

In March 2014, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) established an award to recognize outstanding scientific research contributions to the field(s) of animal management, education, and/or conservation within the AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community. This award, named for its first recipient Devra Kleiman, honors an individual’s long-term commitment to using science-based research and mentoring others to advance the zoo and aquarium profession.  Only one recipient can be honored in any given year, and since the award criteria are lofty, it is anticipated that the award will not be given every year. 

Nominations are due on June 16, 2023.

Devra Kleiman Award Nomination Guidelines (PDF)

Recipients

2021
Oliver Ryder, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Genetics, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

2019
Robert Lacy, Ph.D., Senior Conservation Scientist Emeritus, Chicago Zoological Society

2018
Posthumously to Michael Hutchins, Ph.D.

2017
Kathy Carlstead, Ph.D.

2016
Jonathan D. Ballou, Ph.D., Research Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution

2015
Cheryl S. Asa, Ph.D., Director of Research, Saint Louis Zoo

2014
Posthumously to Devra Kleiman