National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation

National Medal of Science Recipients

Alvarez_JohnsonLuis W. Alvarez

1963 National Medal of Science
Area: Physical Sciences
Key Contributions: Theoretical physics; the bubble chamber; revolutionized the study of charged particles; the Manhattan Project
Awarded by: Lyndon B. Johnson

 

A6509-34A 600dpi scan from Original NegativeKenneth S. Pitzer

1974 National Medal of Science
Area: Physical Sciences
Key Contributions: Thermodynamic properties of molecules
Awarded by: Gerald R. Ford

XBD201610-00290.TIFGeorge C. Pimentel

1983 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Inventor of the chemical laser
Awarded by: Ronald W. Reagan

President Reagan presenting the National Medal of Science to Yuan Lee in a White House ceremony in March, 1986. LBL Research Review, Vol. 11, No. 2, Summer 1986, p. 24 Chemical SciencesYuan T. Lee

1986 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Quantitative bridge between the laws of mechanics and complex macroscopic phenomena
Awarded by: Ronald W. Reagan

Melvin Calvin with President George Bush at the White House.Melvin E. Calvin

1989 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Light-independent reactions in plants; discovered the Calvin cycle
Awarded by: George H. W. Bush

Portrait of Edwin M. McMillan, Nobel Laureate, former director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) and professor emeritus of physics at the University of California at Berkeley, received the National Medal of Science, the nation's highest award for scientific achievement. The award was conferred at a White House ceremony November 13, 1990. LBL Research Review, Vol. 15, Nos. 3/4, Fall/Winter 1990, p. 33 PhysicsEdwin M. McMillan

1990 National Medal of Science
Area: Physical Sciences
Key Contributions: Scientific achievements including the identification of the first transuranic element (neptunium) and the invention of the phase stability principle incorporated in the synchrotron
Awarded by: George H. W. Bush

Seaborg_BushGlenn T. Seaborg

1991 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Worked on the Manhattan Project; discovered 10 elements
Awarded by: George H. W. Bush

Hoffman_ClintonDarleane C. Hoffman

1997 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Discovered the element Seaborgium
Awarded by: William J. Clinton

Johnston_ClintonHarold S. Johnston

1997 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Research on causes of smog; proposed that aircraft exhaust was responsible for ozone deterioration
Awarded by: William J. Clinton

Ames_ClintonBruce N. Ames

1998 National Medal of Science
Area: Biological Sciences
Key Contributions: The Ames test
Awarded by: William J. Clinton

Cohen_BushMarvin L. Cohen

2001 National Medal of Science
Area: Physical Sciences
Key Contributions: Research on pseudopotentials
Awarded by: George W. Bush

Somorjai_BushGabor A. Somorjai

2001 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Sum frequency generation spectroscopy
Awarded by: George W. Bush

Prausnitz_BushJohn M. Prausnitz

2003 National Medal of Science
Area: Engineering
Key Contributions: Development of molecular thermodynamic models
Awarded by: George W. Bush

Chorin_ObamaAlexandre J. Chorin

2012 National Medal of Science
Area: Mathematics and Computer Sciences
Key Contributions: Research integral to modern engine design; research integral to understanding blood flow
Awarded by: Barack H. Obama

Alivisatos_ObamaA. Paul Alivisatos

2014 National Medal of Science
Area: Chemistry
Key Contributions: Nanocrystals
Awarded by: Barack H. Obama

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Recipient

Rosenfeld_ObamaArthur H. Rosenfeld

2011 National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Area: Environment
Key Contributions: Energy-efficient building technologies and policies; the Rosenfeld Effect
Awarded by: Barack H. Obama