Caltech professor, Amnon Yariv, to receive National Medal of Science
Outstanding contributions
PASADENA, Calif.—A Caltech professor was named as the recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists.
Amnon Yariv, a professor of applied physics and electrical engineering, will receive the award, along with 10 others, during a ceremony at the White House later this year.
“The extraordinary accomplishments of these scientists, engineers and inventors are a testament to American industry and ingenuity,” President Barack Obama said.
“Their achievements have redrawn the frontiers of human knowledge while enhancing American prosperity, and it is my tremendous pleasure to honor them for their important contributions.”
President Obama also announced the four recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
The National Medal of Science, created in 1959, is awarded annually by the White House through the National Science Foundation, and recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering.
LOS ANGELES - The USC men's tennis team and men's and women's water polo teams and UCLA women's gymnastics and softball teams will be among more than 30 NCAA championship teams from the 2009-2010 academic year honored by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony today.
The Trojan men's water polo and tennis teams also won NCAA championships during the 2008-2009 academic year, but neither received invitations to the White House.
ROSEMEAD, Calif.—March 15 is the deadline for Southern California high school seniors and students in 13 other states to apply for Edison International scholarships worth up to $10,000.
A total of 125 winners will be awarded $2,500 scholarships, renewable for an additional three years for a total of $10,000, according to Southern California Edison, whose parent company is celebrating 125 years in business.
IRVINE - Irvine-based Broadcom and the Society for Science & the Public announced a six-year, $6 million partnership to launch a national middle school competition focused on science, technology, engineering and math.
The Broadcom MASTERS—Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars—is designed to inspire and reward interest in science, technology, engineering and math among students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
First lady Michelle Obama recently hosted the first ever White House event honoring the art of dance. She dedicated it to highlighting Judith Jamison, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, an icon in the dance world and considered one of the greatest choreographers in the country. Jamison will step down next year, after 20 years of running the company following founder Alvin Ailey’s death in 1989.
The Justice Department recently moved to block a court ruling that prevents use of government funds for embryonic stem cell use. The lower-court decision that bars the use of publicly funded stem cell work was a defeat for President Barack Obama’s administration, which quickly vowed to appeal. Research aimed at combating spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and other ailments were in danger of being stopped as the ruling prevails.
