Michelle Rogan-Finnemore is a New Zealand-American science administrator, and currently the Executive Secretary of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) which is the international association which brings together the National Antarctic Programs that make up its members. She is also the namesake of Finnemore Peak.

Early life and education

Rogan-Finnemore completed her BSc (Hons) in Geology from the University of Pittsburgh. She then completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) both from the

University of Canterbury The University of Canterbury ( mi, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was ...

, NZ. The title of her Masters thesis was "The legal implications of bioprospecting in the Antarctic region."

Career and impact

Rogan-Finnemore was the Manager of Gateway Antarctica, the center for Antarctic Studies and Research, (

) before taking on role of Executive Secretary of COMNAP on July 1, 2009 at which point the COMNAP Secretariat moved to Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Rogan-Finnemore has twice wintered in Antarctica with the U.S.A. Antarctic Program, firstly at the

Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is the United States scientific research station at the South Pole of the Earth. It is the southernmost point under the jurisdiction (not sovereignty) of the United States. The station is located on the ...

in 1990 as the team leader for geodesy and seismology observations for the U.S. Geological Survey and secondly at

McMurdo Station McMurdo Station is a United States Antarctic research station on the south tip of Ross Island, which is in the New Zealand-claimed Ross Dependency on the shore of McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. It is operated by the United States through the Unit ...

in 1992. During the second season, Rogan-Finnemore conducted ionospheric studies and satellite observations for the University of Texas. She has also worked in Antarctica over many summer seasons. She has been a delegate or head of delegation to eleven

Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting russian: link=no, Договор об Антарктике es, link=no, Tratado Antártico , name = Antarctic Treaty System , image = Flag of the Antarctic Treaty.svgborder , image_width = 180px , caption ...

s. She has given talks about being a woman in Antarctica, including at the 2014 IceFest Antarctic Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Awards and honors

In recognition of her Antarctic service, Rogan-Finnmore was awarded the US

Antarctic Service Medal The Antarctica Service Medal (ASM) was established by the United States Congress on July 7, 1960, under s:Public Law 86-600, Public Law 600 of the 86th United States Congress, 86th Congress. The medal was intended as a awards and decorations of ...

twice in both 1990 and 1992. Finnemore Peak was named after her in 2005 by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names. In 2014, Rogan-Finnemore received the Christchurch City Council Civic Award for her contributions to Antarctic Science. This award was presented by Mayor

Lianne Dalziel Lianne Audrey Dalziel (; born 7 June 1960) is a New Zealand politician and former Mayor of Christchurch. Prior to this position, she was a member of the New Zealand Parliament for 23 years, serving as Minister of Immigration, Commerce, Minister ...

saying that each recipient of the award represents the highest ideal of citizenship – dedication and outstanding service to others. Mayor Dalziel expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the awardees.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rogan-Finnemore, Michelle Year of birth missing (living people) Living people University of Canterbury alumni University of Pittsburgh alumni American Antarctic scientists Women Antarctic scientists 21st-century American women scientists American lawyers