2024 Winner Marc Levitan, Long Phan and the Tornado Wind Loads Team Science, Technology and Environment Marc Levitan, Long Phan and the Tornado Wind Loads Team Created the world’s first tornado-resistant building codes, conducting groundbreaking research that will save lives and protect critical facilities like schools, hospitals and emergency centers from extensive property damage.
2024 Winner Yan Ping (Judy) Chen, Jay D. Evans People's Choice Award Yan Ping (Judy) Chen, Jay D. Evans Revolutionized bee disease diagnosis and treatment, introducing cutting-edge technologies to detect virus pathogens and developing novel medicines to enhance bee health and prevent colony collapse.
2024 Finalist Neil Cheatwood, Stephen Hughes Science, Technology and Environment Neil Cheatwood, Stephen Hughes Envisioned and led the development of a new inflatable heat shield for planetary entry, descent and landing that will enable spacecraft to deliver bigger payloads to distant planets, including during a future human mission to Mars.
2024 Finalist Tara McHugh Science, Technology and Environment Tara McHugh Partnered with innovators to develop novel healthy processed food products that have reduced food waste and created jobs in high-unemployment areas, and now leads more than 1,400 employees in eight Western states.
2024 Finalist Karl Simon, Christine Koester, Matt Lakin and the Clean School Bus Team Science, Technology and Environment Karl Simon, Christine Koester, Matt Lakin and the Clean School Bus Team Designed and implemented a program that funds new electric and cleaner-energy school buses, reducing pollution and improving air quality for children in low-income communities.
2023 Winner Brian Key, Scott Bellamy and The NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test Team Science, Technology and Environment Brian Key, Scott Bellamy and The NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test Team Managed the NASA team that successfully altered the orbit of an asteroid, providing the first-ever planetary defense test that could protect Earth from celestial threats.
2023 Finalist Anne Lord Bailey, Caitlin Rawlins and the VA Immersive Team Science, Technology and Environment Anne Lord Bailey, Caitlin Rawlins and the VA Immersive Team Built a cutting-edge nationwide immersive technology network to empower front-line staff and enable the treatment of veterans for a wide range of medical issues such as anxiety, depression, pain management, spinal cord injuries and more.
2023 Finalist Adam M. Phillippy, Sergey Koren, Arang Rhie and The Telomere-to-Telomere Team Science, Technology and Environment Adam M. Phillippy, Sergey Koren, Arang Rhie and The Telomere-to-Telomere Team Conducted the first complete assembly of the human genome, sequencing the most difficult, final part of our genetic makeup, advancing our understanding of our biological blueprint and opening up scientific frontiers that could revolutionize the treatment of a multitude of diseases.
2023 Finalist Sarah L. Nelson, Samantha L. Calkins and the National Ignition Team Science, Technology and Environment Sarah L. Nelson, Samantha L. Calkins and the National Ignition Team Managed a complex scientific enterprise that for the first time produced a fusion reaction that created a net energy gain, a breakthrough in the decades-long, multibillion-dollar quest that could lead to advancements in national defense and clean energy.
2023 Finalist J. Vincent Edwards Science, Technology and Environment J. Vincent Edwards Developed innovative and highly effective new cotton-based medical gauze and dressings for trauma and chronic wound patients that are now in use by hospitals and first responders.
2021 Winner Reem M. Ghandour, DrPH Science, Technology and Environment Reem M. Ghandour, DrPH Transformed and revitalized a national survey on children’s physical, emotional and developmental health, providing timely and insightful data to state and federal policymakers.
2022 Finalist Nathan R. Newbury, Ian Coddington, Ph.D., Kevin Cossel, Ph.D. and team Science, Technology and Environment Nathan R. Newbury, Ian Coddington, Ph.D., Kevin Cossel, Ph.D. and team Developed a revolutionary system to detect methane gas leaks from oil and gas production facilities as well as identify other pollutants that are major contributors to global warming.
2021 Finalist Sherry Hunt, Ph.D. and the Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit Science, Technology and Environment Sherry Hunt, Ph.D. and the Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit Pioneered critically needed design techniques to rehabilitate and strengthen thousands of aging dams across the United States, limiting potential failures that could lead to the loss of life and property.
2021 Finalist Jay Barlow, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Jay Barlow, Ph.D. Played an influential national role in monitoring and managing marine mammals by creating new survey methods and technology to protect and save the lives of whales, dolphins and other species.
2022 Winner Cynthia A. Newberg Science, Technology and Environment Cynthia A. Newberg Played an instrumental role internationally and in the U.S. to curb the use of hydrofluorocarbons, incredibly potent greenhouse gases that are major contributors to climate change.
2021 Finalist Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D. and team Science, Technology and Environment Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D. and team Developed a breakthrough medical treatment for children with inoperable tumors that cause disabling pain, disfigurement, blindness and motor dysfunction.
2022 Finalist Brandon Wales Science, Technology and Environment Brandon Wales Protected government and commercial computer networks from highly sophisticated and damaging cyberattacks, safeguarding the COVID-19 vaccine supply chain and reducing the risks of devastating ransomware attacks.
2022 Finalist Steven Musser, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Steven Musser, Ph.D. Championed the use of whole genome sequencing and a public database to identify foodborne diseases that sicken millions of people every year, enabling authorities to remove dangerous products more quickly from the marketplace and protect public health.
2021 Finalist David L. Boucher, Ph.D., John Lee, Ph.D., Daniel Wolfe, Ph.D. and the Ebola Medical Countermeasures Task Force Science, Technology and Environment David L. Boucher, Ph.D., John Lee, Ph.D., Daniel Wolfe, Ph.D. and the Ebola Medical Countermeasures Task Force Oversaw the research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests that have been used to halt the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in Africa and avert the possibility of a pandemic.
2023 Finalist Cheryl T. Seager Science, Technology and Environment Cheryl T. Seager Initiated creative and extraordinarily successful techniques to identify and clamp down on violators of air, hazardous waste and water pollution laws, particularly in communities at risk.
2022 Finalist Joseph Poux Jr. Science, Technology and Environment Joseph Poux Jr. Organized a series of global environmental law enforcement operations targeting marine pollution and hazardous waste dumping that uncovered thousands of violations and led to the prosecution of countless individuals, companies and criminal networks.
2020 Winner Beth Ripley, M.D., Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Beth Ripley, M.D., Ph.D. Created an interconnected, hospital-based 3D printing network that is assisting health care providers with medical procedures, reducing unnecessary surgeries and helping improve quality of life for veterans.
2020 Finalist Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Championed the conservation and recovery efforts for the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, helping save the species from extinction by protecting and preserving the nests at Padre Island National Seashore.
2020 Finalist Nancy J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Nancy J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Developed a highly effective medication for the deadly Ebola virus now awaiting federal approval, providing the ability to treat patients with this highly contagious disease that has ravaged African countries.
2020 Finalist John F. Tisdale, M.D., Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D. and the Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics team Science, Technology and Environment John F. Tisdale, M.D., Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D. and the Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics team Pioneered innovative research that could lead to a cure for sickle cell disease, an illness that affects more than 20 million people worldwide.
2020 Finalist Peter A. Briss, M.D. and the 2019 Lung Injury Response team Science, Technology and Environment Peter A. Briss, M.D. and the 2019 Lung Injury Response team Identified the chemical compound in vaping products that caused life-threatening lung injuries among young adults, communicating the danger to public health and saving lives.
2019 Winner Daniel B. Jernigan, M.D. Science, Technology and Environment Daniel B. Jernigan, M.D. Led response efforts for dozens of disease crises, including Ebola, SARS and West Nile virus, while greatly improving our country’s ability to identify, prepare for and respond to inevitable flu pandemics
2019 Finalist W. Marston Linehan, M.D. Science, Technology and Environment W. Marston Linehan, M.D. Discovered six different genetic origins of kidney cancer and provided the foundation for the development of targeted therapies that have saved thousands of lives
2019 Finalist McMahan “Mac” Louis Gray Science, Technology and Environment McMahan “Mac” Louis Gray Created a game-changing technology that removes carbon dioxide from power plant emissions and absorbs heavy metals, such as lead, from municipal water supplies
2019 Finalist Othmane Benafan, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Othmane Benafan, Ph.D. Advanced the science and use of a special alloy that returns to its original shape after being heated, leading to groundbreaking technologies that enable safer, more efficient aviation and space exploration
2019 Finalist Christina A. Neal and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Team Science, Technology and Environment Christina A. Neal and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Team Carefully monitored a large and sustained eruption of the Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii and provided vital updates to protect residents, tourists and property from ash, lava and toxic fumes
2018 Winner Margaret Honein, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Margaret Honein, Ph.D. Collected and analyzed critical data to help protect women and babies from the mosquito-borne Zika virus that was spreading rapidly in the U.S. and its territories
2018 Finalist Tim Schmit Science, Technology and Environment Tim Schmit Developed cutting-edge satellite technology for detecting and monitoring severe weather, helping protect people and property from approaching disasters
2018 Finalist Soheila J. Maleki, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Soheila J. Maleki, Ph.D. Led life-changing research on the causes, detection, prevention and potential remedies for peanut and tree nut allergies, which affect up to two million American children
2018 Finalist Barbara G. Kutchko, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Barbara G. Kutchko, Ph.D. Helped rewrite standards for the use of foamed cement in oil wells, to prevent blowouts and damaging oil spills and to better protect workers and the environment
2017 Winner Rory A. Cooper Science, Technology and Environment Rory A. Cooper Designed innovative wheelchairs and other assistive technology equipment that has greatly improved the mobility and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of disabled veterans and other Americans
2017 Finalist Justin C. Sanchez Science, Technology and Environment Justin C. Sanchez Oversaw research to develop life-like prosthetic arms with near-natural dexterity that enables amputees to pick up small or fragile objects, and is managing efforts to restore the ability for brain-injured soldiers to form new memories
2017 Finalist David J. Lipman and the GenBank Team Science, Technology and Environment David J. Lipman and the GenBank Team Built and heads the world’s largest and most influential repository of genetic sequence data now being used by biomedical researchers around the world, including those studying infectious, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases
2016 Finalist David A. Hindin Science, Technology and Environment David A. Hindin Spearheaded the EPA’s use of advanced pollution monitoring technology to increase compliance with federal environmental laws, provide more public transparency and reduce harmful pollutants in our air and waterways.
2016 Winner Jaques Reifman and the APPRAISE Team Science, Technology and Environment Jaques Reifman and the APPRAISE Team Developed an artificial intelligence system for medics to quickly detect if severely injured patients in transit are hemorrhaging, improving survival rates by preparing trauma centers to act immediately upon the patient’s arrival.
2016 Finalist Dennis C. Reuter and the LEISA Team Science, Technology and Environment Dennis C. Reuter and the LEISA Team Developed a sophisticated instrument for NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft that revealed startling new information about Pluto’s terrain and composition, altering our perceptions of the solar system.
2015 Winner Jacob E. Moss Science, Technology and Environment Jacob E. Moss Built an alliance of federal and international agencies, countries and corporations to bring more efficient cook stoves and cleaner burning fuels to homes in developing nations, protecting the environment and the health of millions of people worldwide.
2015 Finalist Richard Alan Feely Science, Technology and Environment Richard Alan Feely Conducted eye-opening research on ocean acidification caused by global carbon dioxide emissions, which poses a serious risk to the health of sea life and the marine environment, and to people who rely on the oceans for food.
2016 Finalist Christopher D. Doley Science, Technology and Environment Christopher D. Doley Crafted a comprehensive, multibillion dollar plan to repair the immense damage to waterways, land, fish and wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
2015 Finalist Griffin P. Rodgers Science, Technology and Environment Griffin P. Rodgers Developed the first effective drug treatment for sickle cell disease to lessen pain and suffering, and oversaw a stem cell transplant clinical trial that reversed the debilitating illness in a majority of patients.
2014 Finalist John Cymbalsky Science, Technology and Environment John Cymbalsky Brought together industry and environmental groups to adopt new efficiency standards for appliances and commercial equipment that will save consumers money and reduce energy consumption and air pollution.
2014 Finalist Jeffrey Rogers Science, Technology and Environment Jeffrey Rogers Created a wearable sensor that provides real-time information on the risk of traumatic brain injuries to soldiers exposed to bomb blasts, resulting in quicker medical treatment and uncovering previously undiagnosed injuries.
2014 Winner William A. Bauman and Ann M. Spungen Science, Technology and Environment William A. Bauman and Ann M. Spungen Greatly improved the health care and the quality of life of paralyzed veterans by developing new ways to treat long-overlooked medical problems.
2014 Finalist Richard Rast Science, Technology and Environment Richard Rast Developed a new, low-cost method of locating and tracking space debris that could severely damage or destroy spacecraft and vital communications, navigation and weather satellites.
2014 Finalist William Charmley and James Tamm Science, Technology and Environment William Charmley and James Tamm Led an interagency team that developed standards for cars and light trucks that will double fuel economy by 2025 and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 6 billion metric tons.
2013 Finalist Josh Silverman Science, Technology and Environment Josh Silverman Discovered and led efforts to halt the release of more than one million tons of the world’s most potent greenhouse gas from Energy Department facilities.
2013 Winner David Lavery and the Mars Science Laboratory Team Science, Technology and Environment David Lavery and the Mars Science Laboratory Team Led the Curiosity rover mission to Mars that is exploring the Red Planet’s geology and climate, and assessing whether conditions are favorable for microbial life and future human exploration.
2013 Finalist Paul D. Jablonski Science, Technology and Environment Paul D. Jablonski Revolutionized coronary stent technology by developing a new platinum-chromium alloy that makes the device thinner, more flexible and visible by x-ray.
2013 Finalist Nora D. Volkow Science, Technology and Environment Nora D. Volkow Demonstrated that drug addiction is a disease that changes brain function and created new strategies for treating patients with substance abuse issues.
2012 Finalist Myron “Ron” Diftler and the Robonaut2 Team Science, Technology and Environment Myron “Ron” Diftler and the Robonaut2 Team Developed the first humanoid robot ever sent into space, a revolutionary machine with a unique human-like hand that can take over simple, repetitive or dangerous tasks now performed by astronauts.
2012 Winner Neal S. Young Science, Technology and Environment Neal S. Young Saves lives through cutting-edge research and treatments for patients with bone marrow failure diseases, including the rare and once deadly blood disorder known as aplastic anemia.
2012 Finalist Kyle Myers Science, Technology and Environment Kyle Myers Sets the scientific standards to ensure that the pictures produced by medical imaging devices are accurate and can be reliably used to assist in the diagnosis of serious diseases.
2012 Finalist Barbara Linder Science, Technology and Environment Barbara Linder Developed and tested innovative ways to prevent and treat the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in children, particularly among minority and disadvantaged children who are at greatest risk for this disease.
2011 Finalist Fenella France Science, Technology and Environment Fenella France Developed innovative imaging techniques to unearth new historical information from some of the nation’s most treasured documents, including the Declaration of Independence.
2011 Finalist Diane Powell and the LAUNCH Team Science, Technology and Environment Diane Powell and the LAUNCH Team Created a unique government and private-sector partnership to identify, support and help take to market innovative technologies that offer solutions to global sustainability problems.
