FRANKLIN INSTITUTE HONORS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Trailblazers in Science, Business and Technology Participate in Week-Long Series of Educational Activities for Students and Community
Philadelphia, PA - March 9, 2007 - Uncommon insight and out-of-the-box thinking will be acknowledged and celebrated this April, during a week-long series of events and activities, culminating in the prestigious 2007 Franklin Institute Awards. Nine preeminent trailblazers in the fields of science, business and technology will be recognized for their significant discoveries and achievements, which directly impact our daily lives or contribute to our present and future well-being.
The rich tradition of the Franklin Institute Awards dates back to 1824, when Philadelphia was the nation's center of innovation and manufacturing. Regular exhibitions of manufactured goods led to recognition of the best achievements in science and technology; which over the years, evolved into the Franklin Institute Awards. It has been bestowed upon such luminaries as Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Marie and Pierre Curie, Orville Wright and Jane Goodall. In fact, many Franklin Institute Award winners have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. The contributions of this year's medalists range from the identification of the gene responsible for Huntington's Disease, to the discovery that water existed on Mars, indicating the potential for life on other planets.
The 2007 Franklin Institute Laureates
- Norman R. Augustine, Lockheed Martin Corporation (Ret.)
Bower Award for Business Leadership
For his leadership of Lockheed Martin, his extensive public service, and implications for economic competitiveness driven by innovation and improved science and math education.
- Stuart K. Card, Palo Alto Research Center
Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science
For his contributions to the fields of human-centered computing; measuring how people use machines, our relationship with information and integrating machines effortlessly into our lives.
- Klaus Biemann, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry
For pioneering the development of mass spectrometry, used to determine structure of complex molecules including sequencing of peptides and proteins, thus enabling the field of proteomics.
- Robert H. Dennard, IBM
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering
For invention of computer memory circuits called DRAMS, small, fast and inexpensive enough to power personal computers and turn cell phones into cameras.
- Merton C. Flemings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Materials Engineering
For contributions to understanding aspects of solidification of metallic alloys; the development of semi-solid metalworking industry which helps make sporting equipment, house-hold appliances and cars less heavy.
- Steven W. Squyres, Cornell University
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science
For discovery of water on Mars through "robotic geologists," the Mars Exploration Rovers, which have led to a greater understanding of the potential for life on other planets and our evolution on Earth.
- Nancy S. Wexler, Columbia University
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
For leading the combined efforts that led to identification of the gene responsible for Huntington's Disease and establishing a model used to investigate genetic basis of other inherited diseases.
- Arthur B. McDonald, Queen's University (Canada) and Yoji Totsuka, University of Tokyo
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics
For their discovery that the three known types of elementary particles, neutrinos, change into one another when traveling long distances and have mass.
Beginning Tuesday, April 24th, the Franklin Institute Award medalists will be on hand to participate in a series of events and activities at The Franklin Institute that are open to middle school, high school and college students, as well as to the general public. Wednesday and Thursday, April 25th & 26th, each laureate will take part in a seminar or lecture focusing on their area of expertise at various universities throughout the city.
These events, all of which are free, provide a rare opportunity to meet, mingle with and Òpick the brainsÓ of some of the most exceptional minds in the world. Laureates' Laboratory will feature interactive demonstrations illustrating the specific concepts behind each laureate's work; Meet the Scientists, a lively discussion and Q & A session geared toward students, will be moderated by members of PACTS, (Partnerships for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science) one of The Franklin Institute's programs for middle and high school students in Philadelphia.
The culmination of this exciting week is the Gala Awards Ceremony and Dinner, which takes place on Thursday evening, April 26th at The Franklin Institute. The highlight of this elegant black-tie event, generously presented by Bank of America, is the presentation of the medals to the laureates.
For detailed information, please visit www.fi.edu/franklinawards
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