Three APS Members Receive National Medal of Science
Three APS members are among the recipients of the 2005 and 2006 National Medal of Science, and one APS member was among the recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Technology. The awards honor the nation’s top scientists and innovators.
President Bush presented the medals in a ceremony at the White House on July 27.
APS members Daniel Kleppner of MIT and Lubert Stryer of Stanford University received the 2006 National Medal of Science.
Kleppner was cited for “his pioneering scientific studies of the interaction of atoms and light including Rydberg atoms, cavity quantum electrodynamics, quantum chaos; for developing techniques that opened the way to Bose-Einstein Condensation in a gas; and for lucid explanations of physics to non-specialists and exemplary service to the scientific community.”
Stryer was cited “for his elucidation of the biochemical basis of signal amplification in vision and pioneering the development of high density micro-arrays for genetic analysis. His influential biochemistry textbook has influenced and inspired millions of students.”
APS member Ralph A. Alpher, who passed away in August, was one of eight recipients of the 2005 National Medal of Science. Alpher was cited “for his unprecedented work in the areas of nucleosynthesis, for the prediction that universe expansion leaves behind background radiation, and for providing the model for the Big Bang theory.”
In addition, APS member Herwig W. Kogelnik of Bell Labs was among the five recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Technology. He was cited “for his pioneering contributions and leadership in the development of the technology of lasers, optoelectronics, integrated optics, and lightwave communication systems that have been instrumental in driving the growth of fiber optic transmission systems for our nation’s communications infrastructure.”
The National Science Foundation administers the National Medal of Science, which was established by Congress for the White House in 1959. The National Medal of Technology was established in 1980.
President Bush presented the medals in a ceremony at the White House on July 27.
APS members Daniel Kleppner of MIT and Lubert Stryer of Stanford University received the 2006 National Medal of Science.
Kleppner was cited for “his pioneering scientific studies of the interaction of atoms and light including Rydberg atoms, cavity quantum electrodynamics, quantum chaos; for developing techniques that opened the way to Bose-Einstein Condensation in a gas; and for lucid explanations of physics to non-specialists and exemplary service to the scientific community.”
Stryer was cited “for his elucidation of the biochemical basis of signal amplification in vision and pioneering the development of high density micro-arrays for genetic analysis. His influential biochemistry textbook has influenced and inspired millions of students.”
APS member Ralph A. Alpher, who passed away in August, was one of eight recipients of the 2005 National Medal of Science. Alpher was cited “for his unprecedented work in the areas of nucleosynthesis, for the prediction that universe expansion leaves behind background radiation, and for providing the model for the Big Bang theory.”
In addition, APS member Herwig W. Kogelnik of Bell Labs was among the five recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Technology. He was cited “for his pioneering contributions and leadership in the development of the technology of lasers, optoelectronics, integrated optics, and lightwave communication systems that have been instrumental in driving the growth of fiber optic transmission systems for our nation’s communications infrastructure.”
The National Science Foundation administers the National Medal of Science, which was established by Congress for the White House in 1959. The National Medal of Technology was established in 1980.
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