François De Keuleneer, an environmental engineer at Dredging International NV, an operating company of DEME Group, won the 2016 IADC Young Author Award at WODCON XXI in Miami, Florida.
De Keuleneer’s research paper, “Luxeal – The Easy to Handle Aquitard” that won him the prize was written with two other colleagues.
René Kolman, secretary general of IADC who presented the award at WODCON XXI, said: “IADC wants to encourage young people in their career and in the development of their knowledge within the (dredging) industry. The paper was well-written and gave clear explanations and illustrations of tests and measurements of the work. It also has a lot of practical relevance and is innovative.”
The annual Young Author Award is given to stimulate the promotion of new ideas and to encourage young people working in the dredging industry and related fields.
Each year at selected conferences, the IADC grants awards for the best papers written by authors younger than 35 years of age.
The Conference Paper Committee is asked to recommend a prize-winner whose paper makes a significant contribution to the literature on dredging and related fields.