In February, Geologica Belgica (the geological society of Belgium) awarded the 2018 André Dumont Medal to Matt Friedman, Associate Curator in the Museum of Paleontology and Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences. According to the society, the medal is awarded "annually to a Belgian or foreign scientist who has completed a high-value research work in the field of mineral sciences.” The award is named for André Dumont, a 19th century geologist who produced the first detailed geological map of Belgium.

As part of the award, Matt delivered an address to the membership of Geologica Belgica at the University of Liège, and has been invited to contribute an inaugural article to the society’s journal. Past recipients of the André Dumont Medal include Philip Gingerich, Professor and Curator Emeritus in the Museum of Paleontology.