PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SEISMIC ACHIEVEMENT Being recognized with the 2014 Frank Spragins Technical Summit Award has inspired Satinder Chopra, P.Geoph., FGC, to keep working hard and developing as a professional. -photo courtesy Satinder Chopra, P.Geoph., FGC
PEER RECOGNITION (right) Receiving the Early Accomplishment Summit Award and being celebrated by her peers was an experience she’ll never forget, says Dr. Zainab Syed, P.Eng.
the Summit Awards as a little bit like the Oscars for our professions.” Being recognized gave him more confi- dence in his work — and in his future. “The award inspired me to forge ahead with new initiatives instead of resting on my laurels,” says Dr. Mertiny. Case in point: he was recently awarded a grant for a new education initiative at the U of A, which will mean improved online learning tools for his students. “I believe that the Summit Awards not only inspire recipients to continue doing good things; the Summit Awards lift up the professions by highlighting the great things we all do,” he says.
“Receiving the award gave me a chance to reflect on myself and my accomplishments. It reinforced in me the importance of always doing the right thing and always striving to do better. It changed me for the better,” she says. Her award is proudly displayed in her living room, and it serves as a constant inspiration to keep working hard.
more than 10 years as Chief Geophysicist at Arcis Seismic Solutions in Calgary. “I’ll never forget the night I received the award,” he says. “For me, it served as a testimony to a lifetime of technical devotion. It was a great feeling, and it has instilled more confidence in me.” Past recipients of the Frank Spragins Award are some of the most distinguished Professional Geoscientists and Professional Engineers in Canada, Mr. Chopra notes. Being in their company has encouraged him to work even harder. “Awards are important as recognition and encouragement to deserving individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields of expertise. They also serve to raise their morale, reinforce their energies for higher levels of performance, and help them rise in their careers for future suc- cesses,” he says. Mr. Chopra received awards from geophysical societies and companies he’s worked for, but the APEGA award was something different. “It is recognition by peers from outside the geophysical
A MILESTONE MOMENT
Dr. Mertiny’s award has a place of honour on the windowsill of his new office at the U of A’s Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering. The light catches the colours in the blown-glass statuette, which is back- dropped by the beautiful river valley. He fondly remembers being called to the stage to receive his Summit Award. “I’m sure there are a lot of deserving people to choose from. So getting an APEGA Summit Award was truly a great honour and a milestone in my career,” says Dr. Mertiny. He was impressed by the quality and distinction of the event itself. “I see
A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Satinder Chopra, P.Geoph., FGC, was humbled to receive the Frank Spragins Technical Summit Award in 2014, recognizing his lifetime of technical achievements in seismic processing and interactive interpretation. He has worked in the industry for three decades, including
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