Fausto Ferraccioli awarded Polar Medal for dedication to science

by BAS Press Office on 20 May 2010 Dr Fausto Ferraccioli, Geophysicist at British Antarctic Survey, has been presented with a Polar Medal by HRH Prince Philip for his continued dedication to science in the Polar Regions.

The Duke of Edinburgh awarded the silver medal to the Italian who has clocked up a total of 12 months on the ice during 16 visits to Antarctica with British and Italian teams of scientists.

During his latest visit to Antarctica with the AGAP project (Antarctic Gamburtsev Province Project*), Fausto spent almost three months working at high altitudes and temperatures of minus 40°C leading the UK science effort.

This worldwide collaboration of scientists across six countries is one of the most scientifically, technically ambitious and physically demanding Antarctic projects and seeks to uncover the secrets of a previously unexplored sub-glacial mountain range in East Antarctica.

Fausto has been using his expertise in Antarctic science and aero geophysical surveys to research the enigmatic mountains that are buried by up to four kilometres of ice and tell a story about past, present and future climate change.

Fausto has worked with British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, England since 2002.

For more information, go to: www.antarctica.ac.uk