Eight to Receive National Medals Of Science

Seven natural scientists and, for the first time ever, a sociologist are cited by U.S. president for their contributions For the first time since the National Medal of Science--the United States' highest scientific honor--was initially presented by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, a sociologist has been selected as one of the recipients. Robert K. Merton, University Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, New York City, and sev

Written byNeeraja Sankaran
| 7 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
7:00
Share

Medalists are selected every year by the president from a list of nominees recommended by the Committee on the National Medal of Science, administered by the National Science Foundation. Three hundred and twenty medals have been awarded since 1962. This year's nominating committee consisted of such distinguished scientific figures as NSF president Neal Lane, National Academy of Sciences (NAS) president Bruce Alberts, and presidential science adviser John Gibbons. President Bill Clinton will present these medals along with the National Medals of Technology (see accompanying story) at ceremonies to be held at the White House later this month.

THE TOPS IN TECHNOLOGY This year, two corporations and four individuals have been selected to receive the National Medal of Technology, the annual presidential awards that recognize achievements in technological innovation and economic competitiveness. The technology medals were mandated by Congress in 1980 and first awarded in 1985. They are administered by the ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Published In

Share
Image of a man in a laboratory looking frustrated with his failed experiment.
February 2026

A Stubborn Gene, a Failed Experiment, and a New Path

When experiments refuse to cooperate, you try again and again. For Rafael Najmanovich, the setbacks ultimately pushed him in a new direction.

View this Issue
Human-Relevant In Vitro Models Enable Predictive Drug Discovery

Advancing Drug Discovery with Complex Human In Vitro Models

Stemcell Technologies
Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Beckman Coulter logo
Conceptual multicolored vector image of cancer research, depicting various biomedical approaches to cancer therapy

Maximizing Cancer Research Model Systems

bioxcell

Products

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Pioneers Life Sciences Innovation with High-Quality Bioreagents on Inside Business Today with Bill and Guiliana Rancic

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Expands Research Reagent Portfolio to Support Global Nipah Virus Vaccine and Diagnostic Development

Beckman Coulter

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Partners with Automata to Accelerate AI-Ready Laboratory Automation

Refeyn logo

Refeyn named in the Sunday Times 100 Tech list of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies