TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- University of Alabama doctoral student Gaisheng Liu has received a research grant from the Geological Society of America. He is one of 21 recipients chosen from 571 applicants in 2003.

The award of $2,485 will fund Liu’s research of contaminant transport in the subsurface and remediation of contaminated groundwater. In addition to the grant, Liu was recognized for exceptional merit in conception and presentation of his proposal.

This grant will support his dissertation research which began two years ago and will continue this summer. The research will take place at the Hydrogeology Laboratory in the UA Bevill Building and a field research site in Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Liu's adviser, Dr. Chunmiao Zheng, praised Liu for his outstanding record. “Not only has he maintained a 4.0 GPA, he has shown tremendous potential as an outstanding researcher,” Zheng, UA professor of geological sciences, said. He added, “He (Liu) has completed three very challenging research assignments for me that could have taken others years to complete. There is no doubt in my mind that Gaisheng can successfully complete the proposed research.”