Janet Lanza, a professor in the UALR Department of Biology, has received the Distinguished Service Citation from the Ecological Society of America. She has served the society for two decades as Book Review Editor of its flagship journal, Ecology.

As book editor, Lanza selects the books to review from those sent by publishers, finds appropriate reviewers, and edits the reviews – two to five per issue – for clarity, accuracy, and content.

“Through a good eye for books worth reviewing, a familiarity with the discipline, and a keen and discriminating awareness of the pool of book reviewers, Lanza has produced a regular stream of high-quality reviews that span and transcend ecology,” said Nadine Lymn, a spokesperson for the society.

The Ecological Society of America – the largest professional society of ecologists in the world with more than 10,000 members – publishes five well-respected journals, convenes an annual conference of more than 4,500 ecologists, and provides ecological and conservation advice to policy makers and media.

Lanza’s service as book editor allows her to hire a biology student to work on the project. The books submitted for reviews – valued at $25,000 – are donated annually to UALR’s Ottenheimer Library.