Press Statement - December 8, 1998
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| Media contact: | Bill Noxon | (703) 306-1070 | wnoxon@nsf.gov |
Statement by Dr. Rita Colwell
Director, National Science Foundation
Regarding the 1998 National Medal of Science Recipients
I am honored to congratulate the nine recipients of the 1998 National Medal of Science. This U.S.' equivalent of the Nobel Prize is our nation's singular way of commending these ground-breaking researchers for their efforts on behalf of science.
This year's awardees have made fundamental discoveries that have led to better understanding of things as varied as the forces that reproduce urban poverty to the role of DNA damage in cancer and aging. These top scientists have also made major discoveries like quasi-crystals, or found mathematical solutions leading to better aircraft wing design. Others have made important contributions in earth sciences and the development of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
The long-range implications of the medallists' contributions cannot be overestimated. These are superstars in their respective fields who have made lifetime achievements through stunning discoveries, often in broadening, cross-disciplinary fields. Their work betters science as a whole and betters our daily lives in ways we often take for granted.
It is only one day a year we set aside to salute these individuals who represent the very best minds in modern science. But we applaud them daily for their continual contributions to humankind, for adding to science' reservoir of knowledge and for the impact they have on the students they mentor and educate along the way.
See also:
Press Release: NSF PR 98-84
Fact Sheet: Vital Statistics of the Awardees of the 1998 Medal of Science
Fact Sheet: Medal of Science
Fact Sheet: Committee for the 1998 National Medal of Science
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