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 Arthur A. Allen Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Arthur A. Allen Pioneered and perfected a modeling program that predicts where people lost at sea will be found, cutting search and rescue times and saving thousands of lives during a 35-year career
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
2019 Finalist James McWhirter, Mark W. Pletcher and the Navy Bribery Scandal Team Safety, Security and International Affairs James McWhirter, Mark W. Pletcher and the Navy Bribery Scandal Team Uncovered and prosecuted the largest bribery and corruption scandal in the history of the U.S. Navy, resulting in dozens of federal criminal convictions and sanctions against numerous Navy officers
2019 Finalist Kara L. De Castro Safety, Security and International Affairs Kara L. De Castro Led pivotal international programs to convert weapons-grade nuclear materials for civilian use and enhanced security cultures to guard against their mishandling and misuse
2019 Finalist Leticia Pibida, Ph.D. Safety, Security and International Affairs Leticia Pibida, Ph.D. Strengthened our nation’s defenses against nuclear and radioactive threats by developing performance standards and tests for detection systems that screen nearly 7 million cargo containers entering U.S. seaports every year
2019 Finalist Kristen P. Finne Safety, Security and International Affairs Kristen P. Finne Developed a system for first responders to quickly locate and assist 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and are at risk during prolonged power outages
2018 Winner Jeff Bezos Spirit of Service Award Jeff Bezos Built successful businesses that deliver everyday goods and services, advance space exploration and contribute to our national security and the public good, and launched large-scale philanthropic initiatives to help homeless families and improve educational opportunities in low-income communities
2018 Winner Karen D. Dodge, Margaret Moeser and the Teams Safety, Security and International Affairs Karen D. Dodge, Margaret Moeser and the Teams Brought justice and restored financial losses of nearly $600 million for hundreds of thousands of people who were defrauded by money transfer scams
2018 Winner Andrew M. Herscowitz and the Power Africa Team Safety, Security and International Affairs Andrew M. Herscowitz and the Power Africa Team Provided electricity to some 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, while creating hundreds of millions of dollars in export opportunities for U.S. companies
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 Winner Marcella Jacobs and the VA Digital Service Team Management Excellence Marcella Jacobs and the VA Digital Service Team Created online digital tools for veterans to more easily access benefits and services, delivering a high-quality and seamless user experience
2018 Winner Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., Ph.D. Federal Employee of the Year Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., Ph.D. Identified an entire new class of rare genetic diseases and treatments to alleviate suffering for thousands of patients in the U.S. and around the world
2018 Winner Parimal Kopardekar, Ph.D. and the Team Promising Innovations Medal Parimal Kopardekar, Ph.D. and the Team Designed a first-of-its-kind traffic management system for unmanned aerial vehicles, paving the way for large-scale use of commercial drones
2018 Winner Alison Smith, Ph.D. People's Choice Award Alison Smith, Ph.D. Pioneered the use of nanoparticles to mark sensitive military equipment with a unique fingerprint to guard against counterfeit products and protect our nation’s warfighters
2018 Winner Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D. Pioneered research to understand the prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities, influencing the expansion of health, social and educational services for children with special needs
2018 Finalist Stephen C. Curren and the Cyber Incident Response Team Safety, Security and International Affairs Stephen C. Curren and the Cyber Incident Response Team Defended health care computer systems in the U.S. from a global cyberattack that threatened patients’ health and safety
2018 Finalist Matthew Nims and the Food for Peace Team Safety, Security and International Affairs Matthew Nims and the Food for Peace Team Distributed $1.4 billion in emergency food assistance to 20 million people in four nations fighting famine and threatened by violent conflicts, saving countless lives under harrowing conditions
2018 Finalist Hoa Thi Tran, Ph.D. and the Team Safety, Security and International Affairs Hoa Thi Tran, Ph.D. and the Team Delivered emergency humanitarian relief to nearly 700,000 Rohingya refugees who fled violent persecution in Burma to find safe haven in neighboring Bangladesh
2018 Finalist Guy Demeter Management Excellence Guy Demeter Developed wide-ranging data management systems that enable FBI analysts to investigate criminal activity and identify threats more quickly
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 John J. Sammarco, Ph.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement John J. Sammarco, Ph.D. Led game-changing research over three decades that improved lighting in mines, advanced rescue techniques and reduced accidents and injuries
2018 Finalist Judith Lynn Allaire DesHarnais Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Judith Lynn Allaire DesHarnais Directed major flood-protection projects that have saved lives and prevented more than a billion dollars in property damage
