Dr. Joe Hannibal, senior lecturer in the Department of Geosciences, was recently honored with the William W. Mather Medal by the Ohio Geological Survey, the highest recognition awarded for exceptional contributions to Ohio geology. The award was presented on Friday, September 13, in acknowledgment of Hannibal’s decades of dedication to the field.
Hannibal is well-known for his expertise in paleontology and his extensive career, which includes nearly 40 years as Emeritus Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH). In addition to his work at CMNH, Hannibal has been an adjunct professor at several Ohio universities and has taught paleobiology at The University of Akron since 2020.
His passion for geology extends beyond academia, as he regularly leads public geological tours and field trips. A dynamic speaker and expert field trip leader, Hannibal has shared his knowledge with various audiences, including libraries, historical societies, and scientific conferences in the U.S. and Europe.
Hannibal’s scholarly contributions include co-editing and writing for several prominent scientific journals. He has developed/co-developed more guidebooks for the Ohio Geological Survey than any author, including guides to Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Ohio canals, and the Sharon Conglomerate.