The M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award is conferred upon an IAHR member whose experimental, theoretical, or numerical research has resulted in significant and enduring contributions to the understanding of the physics of phenomena and/or processes in hydraulic science or engineering and who has demonstrated outstanding skills in graduate teaching and supervision.

This award was established in 2006 to honour the memory of Professor M. Selim Yalin (1925-2007), Honorary Member and Fluvial Hydraulics Committee Chairperson (1986-1991), remembered for his prolific and pioneering research contributions in fluvial hydraulics and sediment transport, and for his inspirational mentoring of students and young researchers.  

Who can be awarded?

The IAHR M. Selim Yalin Award (hereinafter referred to as the Award) is conferred biennially, in odd-numbered years, upon an IAHR member whose experimental, theoretical, or numerical research has resulted in significant and enduring contributions to the understanding of the physics of phenomena and/or processes in hydraulic science or engineering and who has demonstrated outstanding skills in graduate teaching and supervision.

No individual shall receive the Award more than once.

Nomination

The 2023 edition of the M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award is currently closed. 

Selection procedure

Each awardee will be endorsed by the IAHR Council from a recommendation by the IAHR Awards Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Award Committee), either at its meeting during the preceding even numbered year or by e-mail ballot in the year of the Congress in time to encourage the recipient to attend the IAHR World Congress.

The award needs not be made during any biennium in which the IAHR Council considers none of the nominees to be of sufficient high quality.

When and where will the award recipient be announced? 

Public presentation of the Award will be made by the President during a public ceremony taking place at the IAHR World Congress.

What does the award consist of? 

The awardee will be given a suitable certificate which will state the purpose of the Award and indicate the specific contribution(s) of area(s) of endeavour for which the awardee is recognised. The awardee will also receive a monetary honorarium, the terms of which will be published in the announcement of each biennial Award.

The Award fund, which was established by the family and friends of Professor Yalin, is authorised to receive contributions from association members and friends of Professor Yalin.

For further information, please refer to our FAQs section on our website. Additional enquiries regarding the nomination process should be directed to the IAHR Secretariat via email to awards@iahr.org

9th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2022
Heidi Nepf, USA, In recognition of her outstanding career in environmental fluid mechanics and contributions to the field of hydrodynamics of vegetated flows and her dedication to the delivery of her knowledge through teaching and education.

8th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2021
Íñigo J. Losada Rodríguez, Spain. In recognition of significant and enduring contributions to the understanding of the physics of phenomena and processes in hydraulic science and engineering that have had a wide international impact on both applied engineering and policy making.

7th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2019
Vladimir Nikora, UK. In recognition of enduring theoretical, experimental and modeling contributions to the understanding of open channel turbulence and river hydrodynamics, development and application of the double-averaging methodology as well as excellence in graduate teaching and advancement of academic programs in hydraulic engineering.

6th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2017
Marcelo Horacio García, USA. In recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of numerical morphodynamics and specially in the excellence of his teaching and mentorship of young professionals as well as contribution to applied projects.

5th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2015
Aronne Armanini, Italy. In recognition of enduring theoretical, experimental and modeling contributions to the understanding of sediment and debris transport processes and excellence in graduate teaching and advancement of academic programs in hydraulic engineering.

4th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2013
Y. Shimizu, Japan. In recognition of outstanding science and excellence in teaching and mentorship of young professionals as well as contribution to applied projects.

3rd M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2011
Ian Wood, New Zealand. In recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of hydraulic engineering and especially in the experimental research of hydraulic structures, as well as in  the teaching and supervision of graduate students from around the world.

2nd M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2009
I. Nezu, Japan. In recognition of his outstanding research contributuions in both fundamental hydroscience (in particular for his pioneering work in turbulanece measurements and analysis) and applied hydraulic engineering, and for his dedication to teaching and young professional mentoring.

1st M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award | 2007
Gary Parker, USA. In recognition of his outstanding achievements over thirty years in the field of sediment transport, river engineering, river morphodynamics and submarine sedimentation processes.