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Carnegie Museum of Natural History

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February 16, 2023

For more information, contact:
Sloan MacRae
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
412.353.4678
MacRaeS@CarnegieMNH.org

William B. “Skip” Simmons, Jr. Wins 2022 Carnegie Mineralogical Award

Simmons Honored for Career as Pegmatology Expert and Dedicated Educator

Willliam B. “Skip” Simmons, Jr.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) is pleased to announce William B. “Skip” Simmons, Jr. as winner of the 2022 Carnegie Mineralogical Award. The award honors outstanding contributions in mineralogical preservation, conservation, and education. 

Simmons taught mineralogy at the University of New Orleans for more than 42 years, where he formed the Mineralogy, Petrology, Pegmatology (MP2) research group. Following his retirement from the University of New Orleans, Simmons relocated the MP2 research group and laboratory to the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, where he currently serves as the research director.

Simmons’ research primarily focuses on pegmatite mineralogy and petrogenesis. A pegmatite is a type of igneous rock that contains technologically and economically important minerals mined for rare-earth elements such as lithium, beryllium, and tantalum. His lifelong passion for pegmatite mineralogy began in middle school when his mother took him to collect at the McKinney pegmatite in Spruce Pine, NC, and he shared that passion with others throughout his career. 

“I prioritized visiting and collecting at pegmatites worldwide and involved students and colleagues whenever possible,” says Simmons of his teaching career. “I have taken students to study pegmatites in Brazil, Namibia, and Madagascar, as well as in the US, and have involved students in research projects whenever possible. Many of the students presented this research at the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium.”

“Dr. Simmons is an extraordinarily accomplished mineralogist, who for decades has been a leading authority on pegmatology, a specialized field of study focused on the mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry of pegmatites,” says Travis Olds, Assistant Curator of Minerals, Section of Minerals and Earth Sciences at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. “His research regarding pegmatite formation has revealed some groundbreaking results, including the modeling of near-surface pegmatites that indicates that some of the world’s largest crystals have a much shorter growing time than previously thought – just a few months or years, rather than millions of years. During his more than 45-year career, Skip has influenced thousands, engaging professionals, students, mineral enthusiasts, and people from all walks of life through seminars, distinguished lectures, and publications that explore and expand our understanding of pegmatites.”

Simmons has more than 500 research publications to his name, including 21 new mineral descriptions and five mineral discreditations, and he recently co-authored the paper, “A Proposed New Mineralogical Classification System for Granitic Pegmatites.”

Simmons’ research includes extensive geochemical analyses of pegmatitic tourmaline and other associated gem minerals. He co-edited the “Tourmaline” issue of Lithographie and served as lead editor and author of the “Rubellite” issue. Additionally, he developed a week-long Pegmatite Workshop in Maine that has run for 21 years; the second edition of the textbook he co-authored for the workshop, Pegmatology, was published in 2022.

“Skip shares his love of minerals and pegmatites with anyone who shows interest,” says Carl Francis, Curator of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum and the 1992 Carnegie Mineralogical Award winner. 

Olds presented the award to Simmons on February 11, 2023, at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History established the Carnegie Mineralogical Award, funded by the Hillman Foundation, in 1987.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Carnegie Mineralogical Award, and the deadline is November 15, 2023. Eligible candidates include educators, private mineral enthusiasts and collectors, curators, museums, mineral clubs and societies, mineral symposiums, universities, and publications. For information, contact Travis Olds, Assistant Curator, Section of Minerals & Earth Sciences, at 412-622-6568 or oldst@carnegiemnh.org. 

Past recipients include:
2021 Barbara Lee Dutrow, PhD.
2020 John C. Medici, PhD.
2019 John F. Rakovan, PhD.
2018 Dudley P. Blauwet
2017 W. Lesley Presmyk
2016 Anthony R. Kampf, PhD.
2015 George Harlow, PhD.
2014 Bryon N. Brookmyer
2013 Gloria A. Staebler
2012 George W. Robinson, PhD.
2011 Jeffrey E. Post, PhD.
2010 The Rochester Mineralogical Symposium
2009 Peter K.M. Megaw, PhD.
2008 Frank C. Hawthorne, PhD.
2007 Jeffrey A. Scovil
2006 Richard C. Whiteman
2005 June Culp Zeitner
2004 Joel A. Bartsch, PhD.
2003 Eugene S. Meieran, Sc.D.
2002 Terry C. Wallace, Jr., PhD.
2001 Wendell E. Wilson, PhD.
2000 F. John Barlow, Sc.D. (honorary) 
1999 Sterling Hill Mining Museum
1998 Robert W. Jones
1997 Bryan K. Lees
1996 Cornelis (Kase) Klein, PhD.
1995 Marie E. Huizing
1994 The Mineralogical Record
1993 Cornelius S. Hurlbut, Jr., PhD.
1992 Carl A. Francis, PhD.
1991 Miguel A. Romero Sanchez, PhD.
1990 Paul E. Desautels
1989 Frederick H. Pough, PhD.
1988 John Sinkankas, DHL. (honorary)
1987 The Tucson Gem & Mineral Society

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of millions of objects and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. More information is available by calling 412.622.3131 or by visiting the website, www.carnegiemnh.org.

January 24, 2023

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTS APSÁALOOKE WOMEN AND WARRIORS FEBRUARY 4 - MAY 29, 2023

Exhibition from The Field Museum Celebrates Bravery and Artistry of the Matriarchal Apsáalooke People of the Northern Plains

May 10, 2022

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Presents Nature’s Amazing Machines, Exploring the Engineering Feats of the Natural World

A “Nuts-and-Bolts” Look at Nature at the Museum May 28, 2022 – January 2, 2023; Presented in English and Spanish

April 6, 2022

Early Placental Mammal Evolution Prioritized Brawn over Brains

Study in Prestigious Journal Science Sheds Light on the Mammalian Brain in Post-Dinosaur World

March 9, 2022

Pittsburgh Launches Spring 2022 Lights Out Program to Protect Migratory Birds

Business and conservation organizations unite to turn off lights during peak times in spring migration period

February 15, 2022

Dr. Barbara Lee receiving 2021 Carnegie Mineralogical Award

DR. BARBARA LEE DUTROW WINS THE 2021 CARNEGIE MINERALOGICAL AWARD

Champion of Diversity and Women in Mineralogy

February 1, 2022

STUDY CALLS FOR “EXCITING NEW ERA” OF INCREASED USE OF PLANT SPECIMENS AS TRAIT DATA SOURCES

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Botanist Mason Heberling Makes Case for Digitized Herbaria in Prestigious Coulter Review

December 7, 2021

Yellow oldsite blades with blue stanleyite and white szomolnokite on asphaltum.

New Mineral Named For Carnegie Museum of Natural History Scientist

Uranium Mineral "Oldsite" Honors Travis Olds, Assistant Curator of Minerals

August 9, 2021

Annie with 800000th bird, cedar waxwing

Powdermill Nature Reserve Records 800,000th Bird Banding

Milestone Bird Is a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

June 22, 2021

Scutosaurus replica skeleton

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EXTENDS DINOSAUR ARMOR BY POPULAR DEMAND

World Premiere Exhibition to Run Four Additional Weeks through July 31, 2021

February 9, 2021

bird perched on a branch at night

Surprising Study Reveals that Common Potoo Bird Is Migratory

Citizen Scientist Researchers from Southern Hemisphere Make Impact

December 8, 2020

Sarah Crawford

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBITIONS DIRECTOR

Sarah Crawford brings exhibition experience from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Field Museum, and San Diego Museum of Us

November 17, 2020

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Partners with Commonwealth Press and Pfaltzgraphic to Launch New Merchandise

T-shirts and hoodies feature original designs of museum fan favorites, including dinosaur mascot “Dippy” and TikTok Star Tim Pearce

September 28, 2020

rose-breasted grosbeak gynandromorph

RESEARCHERS AT POWDERMILL NATURE RESERVE OBSERVE RARE GYNANDROMORPH BIRD CONTAINING BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Roughly Male on Right Side and Female on Left Side

July 8, 2020

Powdermill Nature Reserve Receives $1M Avian Research Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation

Two-year grant supports construction of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s new Powdermill Avian Research Center, enhanced research programs, and expanded public programming

June 22, 2020

dinosaur featured in dino virtual field trip

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Re-opens with World Premiere Dinosaur Armor

Exhibition coincides with public reopening June 29; Free exclusive member preview June 27 and 28

May 28, 2020

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Partners with TikTok to Create Educational Videos

The museum cultivated a following of over 148,500 and millions of views since January 2020, anchored by mollusk curator's snail jokes

April 29, 2020

GROUND-BREAKING FOSSIL FROM MADAGASCAR HAS PITTSBURGH CONNECTION

CARNEGIE SCIENTIST PROVIDES COMPARATIVE CONTEXT FOR NEW CRETACEOUS MAMMAL

April 27, 2020

butterfly

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE PROVIDES 1.35-MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT TO CONSORTIUM BUILDING A NETWORK TO TRACK MIGRATING WILDLIFE

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Researcher Sets Covid-19 Bird Banding Protocols

April 16, 2020

Mason Heberling writing in a nature notebook

CARNEGIE MUSEUM BOTANIST WINS ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA GEORGE MERCER AWARD FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

Mason Heberling of Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie at University of Maine awarded for climate change research

April 2, 2020

Miley the Blue-Tongued Skink

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY LAUNCHES AT-HOME SUPER SCIENCE DAYS IN APRIL

Enjoy dinosaur hatching and more egg-cellent activities from home

March 31, 2020

Martensius bromackerensis

NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF 290-MILLION-YEAR-OLD CASEID DESCRIBED BY CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCHERS AND INTERNATIONAL COLLEAGUES

Superbly preserved skeletons provide evidence that Martensius bromackerensis developed from juvenile insectivore to adult herbivore

January 27, 2020

Mason in trillium

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Awarded $200,000 NSF Grant to Study Ecological Disruptions on Trees and Wildflowers as Result of Climate Change

Collaborative Research Grant of Combined $645,000 Awarded to Carnegie Museum of Natural History, University of Pittsburgh, and Boston University

January 14, 2020

Travis Olds holding a mineral

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Welcomes Travis Olds as New Assistant Curator of Minerals

Olds brings unique research opportunities for museum’s minerals collection with focus on human impact

October 2, 2019

A sixteen-year-old giant panda inside her enclosure at the Wolong Nature Reserve.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Hosts “National Geographic: 50 Greatest Wildlife Photographs” Exhibition

Visually stunning experience reveals some of the most captivating photographs of the animal kingdom

September 25, 2019

Eric Dorfman in the exhibition Dinosaurs in Their Time

Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History Elected to Executive Board of International Council of Museums

ICOM governing body leads global discussion of museum ethics, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and the evolving definition of museums

September 17, 2019

Dr. Richard W. Moriarty

City of Pittsburgh to Honor Dr. Richard W. Moriarty, Creator of Mr. Yuk, on October 1, 2019

Dr. Moriarty—Lawrenceville native, retired pediatrician, former associate clinical professor of pediatrics at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and current board member of Carnegie Museum of Natural History—founded the Pittsburgh Poison Center and National Poison Center Network.

September 10, 2019

herbarium specimen with large green leaves

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Researchers Detail Innovative Uses of Museum Collections for Understanding Global Change

Plant specimens provide powerful data about life in the Anthropocene.

July 29, 2019

National Science Foundation Awards Carnegie Museum of Natural History $1.2 Million Grant

Museum’s largest NSF grant to date will support development of climate change learning networks in rural Western Pennsylvania.

July 18, 2019

Eric Dorfman in front of blue wall

Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Eric Dorfman Appointed to Earth Day 2020 Global Advisory Committee

Museum Director joins esteemed committee including former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Sir Richard Branson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa of Morocco, and other international leaders.

April 16, 2019

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History to Host Catherine Chalmers, Acclaimed Artist and Photographer

Chalmers’ award-winning short film Leafcutters on view in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s new Anthropocene Living Room exhibition.

April 9, 2019

chameleon on black background

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Extends Reptiles: LIVE! Exhibition by Popular Demand

Reptiles: LIVE! is open at Carnegie Museum of Natural History through May 27, 2019.