Medals for Distinguished Service awarded to Bill Hansson, Jenny Hedenby and Aida Bargues-Tobella

Bill Hansson is professor at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany, which has strong links to SLU in Alnarp. Bill Hansson’s research explores insects’ sense of smell. Jenny Hedenby is a veterinarian and Head of Division at the SLU University Animal Hospital in Uppsala. Aida Bargues-Tobella works with landscape restoration in tropical drylands and researches at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management in Umeå.

From the left: Bill Hansson (photo: Anna Scholl); Jenny Hedenby (photo: SLU); Aida Bargues-Tobella (photo: Daniel Stjärna).

The Great Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for research efforts deemed “remarkable from an international perspective”. The smaller Gold Medal for Distinguished Service awards “exemplary, exceptional efforts of lasting value”. The Silver Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to a young, promising talent at SLU who is encouraged to continue in the same exemplary manner in the future, “preferably within the innovation and collaboration field”.

SLU’s Great Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to Professor Bill Hansson. Bill Hansson is research director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, and former SLU professor. This award is a way of acknowledging his long-term, world-leading scientific work in insect ecology and assuring SLU’s global position in the field through his strong academic network and his scientific communication. He was a driving force behind the formation of the Max Planck Center on next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology – the first Max Planck centre in the Nordic countries. The centre focuses on insect behaviour in the wake of climate change and pollution, while training the next generation of chemical ecologists. Throughout his time at Max Plank, Bill Hansson has maintained strong ties to SLU, and he has made great efforts to establish thriving research environments in chemical ecology at the university.

The Gold Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to veterinarian Jenny Hedenby. Jenny Hedenby is the manager of the ambulatory clinic and interim clinic manager of the small animal clinic at the SLU University Animal Hospital (UDS). This award is a way of acknowledging her successful leadership through a turbulent period at UDS. Jenny Hedenby is aware of the importance of teamwork, and together with her calm manner and strong leadership, she is able to motivate her colleagues. These skills have also helped her navigate complex issues, enabling her to continue activities at the small animal clinic while simultaneously supporting education. Jenny Hedenby has also been a significant presence in the ongoing UDS reorganisation, where the goal is to strengthen an integrated collaboration between animal healthcare, veterinary education and research in clinical subjects.

The Silver Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to researcher Aida Bargues-Tobella. Aida Bargues-Tobella’s primary research interest is in understanding the potential of tree-based restoration and agroforestry to support and enhance the provision of ecosystem services and contribute to sustainable development. Her research focuses on dryland sub-Saharan Africa. This award is a way of acknowledging her innovative work in research and global cross-sector collaborations. She is already considered a leading expert in landscape restoration and hydrology in tropical drylands, and she uses innovative and multidisciplinary methods to identify sustainable development goals. In addition, Aida Bargues-Tobella is actively involved in educational issues and supervises students at all levels, both at SLU and internationally.

• More about the medals and previous recipients