Brian Richard Pratt (born 1953) is a Canadian geologist and paleontologist. He is a professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the

University of Saskatchewan A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'', which ...

and a fellow of the

Geological Society of America The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences. History The society was founded in Ithaca, New York, in 1888 by Alexander Winchell, John J. Stevenson, Charles H. Hitch ...

Early life and education

Pratt was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but grew up in the

Niagara Escarpment The Niagara Escarpment is a long escarpment, or cuesta, in Canada and the United States that runs predominantly east–west from New York through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and into Illinois. The escarpment is most famous as the cliff ov ...

. In 1980, his Masters thesis ''The St. George Group (Lower Ordovician), western Newfoundland: sedimentology, diagenesis and cryptalgal structures'' was the recipient of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Best M.Sc. Thesis Award. At the time, he was also employed by Petro Canada. While conducting his PhD research, Pratt discovered fossilized worm burrows on the western side of the

Mackenzie Mountains The Mackenzie Mountains are a Canadian mountain range forming part of the Yukon-Northwest Territories boundary between the Liard and Peel rivers. The range is named in honour of Canada's second prime minister, Alexander Mackenzie. Nahanni Natio ...

Career

Pratt joined the Department of Geological Sciences at the

in 1989. In 2002, he was the recipient of the

W. W. Hutchison Medal The W.W. Hutchison Medal is a scientific award given by the Geological Association of Canada and named after William W. Hutchison in recognition of his many contributions to the Association and to Canadian and international geoscience. The medal ...

from the

Geological Association of Canada The Geological Association of Canada (GAC) is a learned society that promotes and develops the geological sciences in Canada. The organization holds conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the discussion of geological problems and the exchange ...

. He was also awarded a research grant to study limestone reef. He also sat as chair on the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature from 2002 until 2003. Two years later, in 2004, Pratt was named an associate editor for the

Journal of Paleontology The ''Journal of Paleontology'' is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering the field of paleontology. It is published by the Paleontological Society. Indexing The ''Journal of Paleontology'' is indexed in: *BIOSIS Previews *Science Citatio ...

. In 2006, Pratt was elected to serve on the University Council and was the recipient of the Past-President's Medal from the Geological Association of Canada. Later in 2008, Pratt was elected to serve on the council for the Geological Society of America. He was also selected to chair the International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification, replacing

Maria Bianca Cita Maria Bianca Cita (born 12 September 1924) is an Italian geologist and paleontologist. She was born in Milan and graduated in geology from the University of Milan in 1946. She lectured there on micropaleontology, physical geography, enginee ...

. Pratt was also elected the 2008 Chair of the International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification by a vote of 16 to 13. The following year, Pratt was elected a fellow of the Geological Society of America. In 2012, Pratt was selected to sit on the board of Global Heritage Stone Resource as Vice President of the North America branch. In 2014, he was elected president of the Geological Association of Canada. After serving his term, he sat on the executive committee for the 2015–16 year.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pratt, Brian R. Living people Scientists from Hamilton, Ontario Canadian geologists Canadian paleontologists Academic staff of the University of Saskatchewan Fellows of the Geological Society of America 1953 births