Since 1886, the National Academy of Sciences has honored more than 950 individuals in the physical, biological, and social sciences through its awards program.  

Announcements

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2020 Arthur L. Day Prize Recipient to Present First Lecture on February 24

Lindy T. Elkins-Tanton, recipient of the 2020 Arthur L. Day Prize and Lectureship will give her first lecture on February 24 at the University of New Mexico. Elkins-Tanton is the world’s leading figure in the early evolution of rocky planets and planetesimals and currently serves as the principal investigator for the NASA spacecraft mission to Psyche, an M-class asteroid thought to be largely made of metal. Her lecture will discuss how far we’ve come in building this spacecraft and preparing to launch in 2023. This in-person event is free and open to the public, and a livestream will be available. Learn more. 

2023 NAS Awards Recipients Announced  

The 2023 NAS Awards recipients, which include 17 individuals who are being honored for their extraordinary scientific achievements in a wide range of fields spanning the physical, biological, social, and medical sciences have been accounced. The Academy’s most prestigious award, the NAS Public Welfare Medal, is being presented to mathematician, educator, and higher education advocate Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for his outstanding leadership in transforming U.S. science education and increasing cultural diversity within the science workforce. “Freeman Hrabowski has revolutionized science and engineering education, dedicating his career to ensuring that working- and middle-class Americans of all races have the opportunity to become world-class scientists, engineers, and leaders,” said NAS President Marcia McNutt.

All 17 recipients will be honored at the Awards Ceremony on April 30 at the 160th Annual Meeting. 

Previous NAS award recipients continue to achieve outstanding advancements in their fields. Over 120 have received a National Medal of Science, 79 have received a Nobel Prize, and 51 have a Lasker Award. NAS Awards: Looking Forward checks back in with previous award recipients. 

Recipient of the 2013 Alexander Agassiz Medal, David M. Karl continues to track changes in the ecology and biogeochemistry of the ocean under the stresses of climate change. Watch the video below to hear about his latest developments.