On May 21, 2000, the world of marine mammal research lost two talented scientists and cherished colleagues, Stuart Innes and Malcolm Ramsay. Drs. Innes and Ramsay were conducting field research near Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada when their helicopter crashed. Both Stuart and Malcolm are remembered with affection and admiration for their boundless energy and devotion to their scientific endeavours in the Arctic. Stuart was a vocal advocate for supporting students in their efforts to develop a career in Arctic marine mammal research. He believed that the Biennial Marine Mammal Conferences hosted by the Society for Marine Mammalogy were a good opportunity for young researchers to learn, network, and develop enthusiasm from the leaders in the field. As a tribute to Stuart, friends and colleagues have established the “S. Innes Memorial Student Travel Bursary” to help support a student’s travel to this conference. The award is open to post-secondary students conducting marine mammal research in the Arctic. Winners are announced prior to the Biennial Conference.

2019 Winner:
Justine Hudson
Assessing the seasonal foraging ecology of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) using baleen thyroid hormone (T3) profiles

2017 Winner:
Charmaine Hamilton
Impacts of sea-ice declines on a pinnacle Arctic predator-prey relationship; habitat, behaviour and spatial overlap between coastal polar bears and ringed seals. (Read abstract.)

2015 Winner:
Erica Escajeda