The Winners
The Selection Committee for the Peccei and Mikhalevich Scholarship Awards has completed its review of the 2004 nominations. The two Peccei Scholarships go to Hiroshi Ito of Japan and Sarah Staveteig of the United States. Cezary Chudzian of Poland receives the Mikhalevich Scholarship with an Honorable Mention for Erin Dunlop of Canada.

Hiroshi Ito (University of Tokyo, Japan) was chosen for his research in the Adaptive Dynamics Network Program. He prepared two reports: "Combination of Slow and Fast Evolutionary Traits Induces Repeated Adaptive Radiation" and "Line Condition for Evolutionary Branching."

In the words of the reviewers:

"Hiroshi Ito has for the first time analyzed the quantitative meaning of 'comparable rates'. More importantly, he has made a large step in bringing the tools and insights from adaptive dynamics closer to reality."

"These works represent a major advancement of adaptive dynamics theory. I'm sure that this study opens a new chapter in the field of adaptive dynamics."

Sarah Staveteig (University of California at Berkeley, USA) was chosen for her work in the World Population Program. Her paper addressed the issue of "Relative Cohort Size and the Risk of Civil War, 1961-2001".

The reviewers:

"This is an excellent draft of a paper, that when published, could have a powerful impact on the field of demographic security."

"This is an important, thorough and well-written paper, with a good literature review and discussion of the explanations why large youth cohorts may increase the risk of conflict."

The 2004 Mikhalevich Scholarship was awarded to

Cezary Chudzian of Poland, who was recognized for his work in the Risk, Modeling and Society Project. The report he prepared during his participation in the 2004 summer program is entitled Support of Model Analysis within Structured Modelling Technology. Cezary comes from the National Institute of Telecommunications in Warsaw.

The reviewers:

"The work represents original new research developments within model-based technology which is appropriate for complex systems analysis."

An "Honorable Mention" citation was given to Erin Dunlop of Canada (University of Toronto) for the two papers she prepared during her affiliation with the Adaptive Dynamics Network Program.

About the Awards
The scholarships are awarded annually for outstanding work by participants of the IIASA's Young Scientists Summer Program. They provide financial support for the winners to return to IIASA for an additional three-month period of research.

The Selection Committee
The Selection Committee was made up of IIASA Director Leen Hordijk, Summer Program Dean Joanne Bayer, and Vice Dean Zbigniew Klimont.

The Selection Criteria
In making its decisions, the committee drew on the following sources of information:

• Written reports prepared by the candidates during their participation in the 2004 summer program. The reports were ranked on:
  • complexity of subject;
  • originality of approach;
  • policy relevance;
  • advancement of theory;
  • interdisciplinary character of research;
  • methodology appropriate for the analysis;
  • relevant literature cited;
  • justifiable conclusions.
• Memos from supervisors supporting and evaluating their candidates' nomination;
• Evaluations of the candidates' written reports by IIASA staff and external reviewers;
• The candidates' general contribution to IIASA’s overall objectives as evidenced by oral presentations at lectures or seminars;
• Professional interaction with other summer students and IIASA staff.

External Reviewers
Eighteen papers were submitted for consideration. The Selection Committee gratefully acknowledges the evaluations of the 50 reviewers; their input was of great value in the selection process.

Responsible for this page: Barbara Hauser
Last updated: 24 Feb 2011