Heather Wright recently returned from attending the 2013 Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior in Kagoshima, Japan, where she was awarded the George Walker Award.

“It was an emotional experience because it was such a dream to be able to be honored by my peers,” Wright said. “It feels really humbling to receive an early career award.”

She added that it’s an award that speaks more to the potential other people see in her future than the work she’s already accomplished.

The award is given every two years to a young scientist recognizing achievements in the fields of research encompassed by the IAVCEI. Wright received the award in recognition of her publications relating permeability and other physical characteristics of pyroclasts to eruptive processes and on petrology and physical volcanology of caldera volcanoes at Cerro Galán, Argentina and Crater Lake, Ore..

“It means a huge amount to me to receive the award,” Wright said.

Wright is the daughter of Hamersley (Lee) and Nina Wright of Clinton and is a 1995 graduate of South Whidbey High School.