Kostas J. Spyrou, Professor of Ship Dynamic Stability and Safety at the National Technical University of Athens, has been selected by the American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) as the 2020 recipient of the “Dr. Kenneth S.M. Davidson medal”. The medal is awarded every two years to an individual for his “Outstanding Scientific Accomplishment in Ship Research”. Besides being a distinctive recognition of the quality and value of an individual’s academic work, it reflects greatly also on his Institution.
In their letter of announcement to Prof. Spyrou, the SNAME President and the Awards Committee Chair stated that, “SNAME is proud to recognize a member like you whose pioneering contributions to the fields of ship dynamics, stability and safety, passion for research, active participation in international fora, and academic leadership skills stand out in his profession worldwide. By receiving the Dr. Kenneth S. M. Davidson Medal, we hope that you not only influence your peers, but also set the right example for young professionals.” The announcement by SNAME is found at: https://www.sname.org/dr-kenneth-s-m-davidson-medal.
This award comes four years after Prof. Spyrou received another prestigious international recognition, the title of “2016-2017 Georg Weinblum Memorial Lecturer” for his work on the safety of ship motions in extreme seas (https://www.tuhh.de/weinblum-foundation/weinblum- memorial-lecture/200809-201718/201617-kostas-j-spyrou.html)
The Davidson medal was established by SNAME’s Executive Committee in 1959 and eligibility is not limited to the membership of SNAME. The nomination by the Committee and the final award by the Council require a two-thirds vote of the Committee and of SNAME’s Council. The medal is presented with suitable ceremonies during the Banquet of the annual SNAME Maritime Convention. However, due to the covid-19 situation and in order to safeguard the prestige of this award, SNAME decided, instead of presenting it during a virtual conference, to postpone the in-person award ceremony until the SNAME Maritime Convention 2021.
