President Obama to bestow National Medals on four American Chemical Society members

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2016 — Four eminent American Chemical Society (ACS) members are among 17 Americans who will receive a National Medal of Science or a National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama at the White House on May 19. The medals represent the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for achievement and leadership in science and technology.

“I’d like to congratulate these extraordinary scientists for this recognition,” says Thomas Connelly Jr., Ph.D., executive director and chief executive officer of ACS. “Their success is a result of their dedication to the advancement of both science and society.”

The National Medal of Science, which was created in 1959, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. Two ACS members will receive the National Medal of Science:

• A. Paul Alivisatos, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• Geraldine Richmond, Ph.D., University of Oregon, in Eugene

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was created in 1980. The award honors those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness and quality of life and have helped strengthen the nation’s technological workforce. Two ACS members will receive this medal:

• Joseph DeSimone, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Carbon3D
• Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., University of Connecticut, in Farmington

Details about the medalists can be found at www.nationalmedals.org/laureates.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With nearly 157,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.