This prize, awarded every two years, goes to Professor Yvon Le Maho for 2008 for his work in the Life Sciences. Professor Yvon Le Maho is a world-famous expert on penguins' hypometabolic thermoregulation strategy.
He has participated in eleven field studies, including five in the Crozet Islands and one at the American McMurdo station in Antarctica. Dr Le Maho is a member of the Oceanographic Museum Board of Directors and at the head of an international project associating the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the CNRS in studying ecosystems sensitive to climate change.
This award also goes to Professor Xavier Le Pichon for 2009 for his work on the ?Science of matter?. Specialised in plate tectonics, Xavier Le Pichon is a member of the French Academy of Sciences, the United States National Academy of Sciences and professor at the Collège de France.
The Geographical Society, founded in 1821, awards eight Grand Prix: the Geographical Society Grand Prix for geographic research and publications; Grand Gold Medal for exploration and discovery; Grand Prix for Climatology; Grand Prix for Cartography; Gold Medal for research travel, missions and reconnaissance works; Grand Gold Medal for exceptional work; Geographical Society Prix de la Francophonie and Albert I of Monaco Grand Prix for the Sciences of the Sea.
The Grand Prix des Sciences de la Mer Albert Ier de Monaco was created by Prince Rainier III for the Society's 150th anniversary in 1971.
