The following is excerpts from the Ellipsaria newsletter Vol. 23 – No. 2 June 2021, page 20:
During the Virtual Symposium, the Awards Committee was pleased to present the FMCS Meritorious Service Award to Greg Cope. His commitment to freshwater mussel conservation is apparent to all. He was part of the group that formed the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS) and has worked in leadership roles within FMCS since its inception. His leadership and innovative ideas have shaped FMCS in many ways. Cope has worked tirelessly to advance the mission of FMCS; he has been a member since 1999, served on various committees between 1999 and present, and actively participates in the technical aspects of FMCS. Cope has actively participated in most workshops and symposia as a committee member, presenting papers, moderating sessions, judging student papers, and presenting awards. He is well known for his competence, attention to detail, and, above all, his kindness.
Currently, Cope is the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Applied Ecology and Environmental Toxicology at North Carolina State University. In that role, he leads research efforts to understand the toxicological effects of waterborne and sediment-associated contaminants on fish and mollusks. He also directs and manages the Department’s public outreach program, participates in teaching, advising, and supervising graduate student research, co-instructs graduate courses, and serves as scientific advisor to various state and federal agencies. During his 30-year career, Cope has authored or co-authored 105 research publications, nine book or book chapters, advised 26 MS or PhD students, and authored or co-authored ~300 presentations. By all metrics, Cope is an exceptional research scientist.
We are lucky to have Greg Cope as a colleague and friend. Through his exemplary research program and his service to freshwater mussels, Cope has distinguished himself among the United States’ leading malacologists. In general, he has been willing to pitch in whenever something needed to be done for FMCS, and his professionalism and devotion to the Society and the greater cause of mollusk conservation are unsurpassed.
Congratulations, Greg!