National Medal of Science USA
National Medal of Technology and Innovation USA
Photo George M. Bergman, MFO. Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
David Mumford Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Mathematics and Computer Science 2009
Mathematician. Algebraic geometry, Vision and Pattern Theory. Pure
and Applied math. History and Philosophy of math, Math education.
Sailing.
“Research enterprise depends on the free dissemination of scholarly material.
Photo: LN, NIMH
Mortimer Mishkin Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Behaviorial and Social Science 2009
Cognitive neuroscientist, Business Administrator. Brain/behavior
relationships in humans, nonhuman primates. Identified … areas in
cerebral cortex essential for perception and memory: cortico-limbic
circuit responsible for memory of facts and events; cortico-striatal
circuit responsible for learning of different types of habits and motor
skills.
“Perseverance is built into the trait of curiosity, a scientist’s
motivation. If you’re sufficiently curious, you’re willing to continue
despite failures and obstacles. It’s so easy to give up.”
Photo: Courtesy Dr. Michael I. Posner. Upon receiving Carty award 2012.
Michael I. Posner Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Behaviorial and Social Science 2008
Psychologist. Cognitive neuroscience – attention, early brain development, changes in brain systems with learning; developmental disorders; brain injury. Posner cueing task. Founding Director, Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology.
Photo: Bengt Nyman, Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
Robert J. Lefkowitz MD
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2007 USA
Nobel co-recipient Brian K. Kobilka
Physician- Cardiologist, Scientist. G-protein-coupled receptors;
approximately half of all medicines used today use this kind of receptor.
“Strong family history of coronary artery disease … at age 50 I
had quadruple bypass surgery [1994]. I minimize my risk factors with
daily physical exercise, a vegetarian diet and appropriate medications”.
Photo: Courtesy Nina Fedoroff. Credit: Douglas Mills, New York Times
Nina V. Fedoroff Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2006
Plant Molecular Biologist. Geneticist. First to clone and characterize maize transposons. Founding director, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Interests: Education, Public Policy.
“It’s as much wanting to succeed as it is to using your brains. I’ve seen very bright people fall out of the system”.
Photo: Courtesy Dr. Gordon Bower
Gordon H. Bower Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Behavior and Social Science 2005
“Psychologist, Cognitive-Social. Human memory, mnemonic devices, retrieval strategies, recording strategies, category learning. Cognitive processes, emotion, imagery, language and reading comprehension as they relate to memory. Mathematical Models, Computer Simulation of Memory, Behavior Modification.”
Photo: Courtesy Evelyn M. Witkin
Evelyn Maisel Witkin Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Biological Science 2002
Zoologist – Molecular Geneticist. E. coli. DNA mutagenesis and DNA
repair. Interests: Science education in public schools; Connections
between contemporary Victorians poet Robert Browning and Charles Darwin.
Essentially same grant from 1956 until retirement in 1991.
Photo: © Nobel Foundation
Mario R. Capecchi Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2007
Nobel prize also awarded to Sir Martin J. Evans and Oliver Smithies
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2001
Molecular Geneticist. Introduced specific gene modifications in
mice by using embryonic stem cells. Gene Targeting, Homeobox Genes,
Development, Behavior.
Mother incarcerated as political prisoner, Germany. “At age 4½, I
set off on my own, living in streets, orphanages; joining gangs of
homeless children; generally hungry. Vivid recollections, brutal beyond
description.”
Photo Courtesy Vinton Cerf. Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
Vinton Cerf Ph.D.
National Medal of Technology and Innovation 1997
One of two Fathers of the Internet. TCP/IP protocols. Internet
Architecture. Chief Internet Evangelist, Google. Interplanetary Internet.
Living Legend.
“Brilliant, indescribably enthusiastic, humorous, happy, treats people
extremely well. It would be nice to go to work every day and work with
people like Vint Cerf.” – R.V. Nagaveni, Founder, Ganga Library.
Photo: NIH
Harold Varmus M.D.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1989
Nobel Prize shared by J. Michael Bishop
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2001
Physician, Scientist, Litterateur. Cellular origin of retroviral oncogenes. Co-founder, Public Library of Science Journals. Initiated doubling NIH budget. Interests: cycling, rowing.
‘Unflappable Varmus’
Photo: Courtesy Dr. George F. Bass
George Fletcher Bass Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2001
Archeologist. Father of underwater archaeology. Excavated shipwrecks of Bronze Age, Classical Age, Byzantine. Founded Institute of Nautical Archaeology.
Findings throw new light into beginning of free enterprise system,
dating Homer’s Odyssey, chronologies of Egyptian dynasties, Helladic
cultures; histories of technology, economics, music, art, religion.
“The greatest thrill comes from the library, when you can
understand something about what you’ve found, when it all comes together
and it means something.”
Photo: Courtesy Gene Elden Likens
Gene Likens Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2001
Zoologist. Ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, acid rain, human impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Linked fossil fuel combustion to acid rain. Founder, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Photo: Courtesy Nancy C. Andreasen
Nancy Andreasen M.D.,Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2000
Psychiatrist, Litterateur. Cognitive and Behavioral
Neuroscience, Genomics, Neuroimaging, Neuroscience of Creativity,
Schizophrenia. Writes books to educate laity and reduce stigma. Founding
Chair, Neuroscience Section, American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS).
Creative people tend to be very persistent, even when confronted with skepticism or rejection.
Photo: Courtesy Dr. Shing-Tung Yau
Shing-Tung Yau Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Mathematics and Computer Science 1997
Mathematician. Differential geometry, Differential equations,
General relativity. Calabi-Yau manifolds. Miyaoka-Yau inequality.
Founder: Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong
Kong; Morningside Center of Mathematics at Academia Sinica; Center of
Mathematical Sciences at Zhejiang University; Tsinghua Mathematical
Sciences Center, China. Adviser more than 50 doctoral students.
Family fled mainland China and Communist takeover when he was an infant. Leader of street gang and often skipped school.
Photo: Sigismund von Dobschütz. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Jack Steinberger Ph.D.
Nobel Prize in Physics 1988
National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1988 USA
Nobel Prize shared with Leon M. Lederman, Melvin Schwartz
Physicist, Cosmologist, Astrophysicist. Hobbies: Playing the Flute, Tennis, Mountaineering, Sailing.
To Ganga Library founder on 3 Aug 2014, “I have used your questions to me as an incentive to prepare a list of my publications”.
Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
Paul C. Lauterbur Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2003
Nobel Co-recipient Sir Peter Mansfield
The President’s National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1987
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation 1988
Chemist. Magnetic resonance imaging.
“Every great idea in history has the red stamp of rejection on
its face. If you scratch any innovation’s surface, you’ll find the
scars: they’ve been roughed up and thrashed around by the masses and the
leading minds before they made it into your life.”
Photo Nasoline. Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
George J. Stigler Ph.D., M.B.A.
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1982
The President’s National Medal of Science – Behavior and Social Science 1987
Economist – industrial organization. ‘Seminal studies of
industrial structures; functioning of markets; causes, effects of public
regulation.’ Great teacher. Writings easy to admire, joy to read,
impossible to imitate. Interest: many areas of economics; history of
economics. Very Humorous.
Chicago Economics Department intellectual ferment – intense intellectual atmosphere; captivated him.
Photo: Courtesy Dr.Roald Hoffmann
Roald Hoffmann Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1981
Nobel Prize also awarded to Kenichi Fukui
National Medal of Science – Chemistry 1983 USA
Chemist, Poet, Philosopher, Writer, Chemistry Teacher Text/Television.
Painting: Tim Tompkins PaintHistory.com
Roger Wolcott Sperry Ph.D. [Zoology], M.A. [Psychology]
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1981
Nobel co-recipients David H. Hubel, Torsten N. Wiesel
The President’s National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1989
Psychologist, Philosopher, Zoologist, Neuroanatomist. Functional
specialization of cerebral hemispheres. Split-brain studies. Duality of
consciousness. Mind and consciousness. High ethical standards.
Authorship generosity.
Ralph Gerard, “I know of nobody else who has disposed of cherished
ideas of his doctoral and postdoctoral sponsors, at that time the
acknowledged leaders in their fields.”
Photo: Courtesy Michael H. Freedman
Michael H. Freedman Ph.D.
National Medal of Science – Mathematics and Computer Science 1987
American mathematician. Proof of Poincare Conjecture in dimension four. One of the greatest achievements in mathematics in this century. Fields Medal, 1986.
Photo Purdue University. Painting Tim Tompkins PaintHistory.com
Herbert C Brown Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1979
The President’s National Medel of Sciences – Physical Sciences, 1969
Nobel co-recipient Georg Wittig
Organic Chemist. Development of use of boron into important
reagents in organic synthesis. School, advanced several times,
graduating at 12; refused further advancement, avoiding being sister’s
classmate.
Graduating, Depression years, future wife Sarah gave him gift, Stock’s ‘Hydrides of Boron and Silicon’ because cheapest chemistry book! Led to Nobel Prize!
Painting Tim Tompkins PaintHistory.com
Daniel M. Nathans M.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1978
Nobel co-recipients Werner Arber, Hamilton O. Smith
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1993
Physician, Molecular Biologist – Genetics. Restriction enzymes and
their application to molecular genetics. Groundwork for human genome
project, drug insulin. Able administrator – high signal-to-noise ratio.
“Valuable internship year in medicine with masterful clinician
Robert Loeb; The glimpses of human strength and frailty that a physician
sees are still with me.”
Photo: Courtesy Dr. Roger Guillemin
Roger Guillemin M.D., Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1977
Nobel Prize also awarded to Andrew V. Schally, Rosalyn Yalow
National Medal of Science-Biological Sciences 1976 USA
Physician, Physiologist, Neuroendocrinologist. Peptide hormone production of brain. Visual Artist.
Alfred Nobel
chose to associate Literature and Science in his legacy. The mission,
role and responsibility to society of a scientist and an artist are the
same.
Painting: Tom Tompkins PaintHistory.com
Barbara McClintock Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1983
The President’s National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1970
Cytogeneticist. Mobile genetic elements, 1948. Nobel after 35
years. Skilled experimentalist, master cytological detail interpreter,
brilliant theoretician. Solo labor, no technical help. Friendly fellow
scientists. Discriminated as woman.
“Tacit assumptions – substance of dogma – served as barrier to
effective communication. My understanding of phenomenon was too radical
for time.”
Photo: Public Domain, Wikipedia
Howard M. Temin Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1975
Nobel Co-recipients David Baltimore, Renato Dulbecco
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1992
Virologist. Interaction between tumor viruses and genetic material
of cell. DNA provirus and RNA-directed DNA synthesis. Reverse
Transcriptase. Intellectually courageous. Civic minded.
How fortunate to live in a country at a time and in a social class
that has enabled us to realize our potential. Not been possible for
many.
Painting Tim Timpkins – PaintHistory.com
Robert Hofstadter Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physics, 1961
Nobel co-recipient Rudolf Mössbauer
National Medal of Science – Physical Science 1986
Nuclear and particle physicist. Discoverer of sodium iodide scintillation counters. Carried out electron scattering from atomic nuclei, revealing structure of nuclei and nucleons. Original proposer of two-mile SLAC linear accelerator. Pioneer of gamma-ray astronomy, using EGRET detector aboard the Compton observatory. Research in laser fusion, applications of physics to medicine.
Photo NIH. Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
Arthur Kornberg M.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1959
Nobel co-recipient Servero Ochoa
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1979
Physician, Scientist. Discovered mechanisms in biological synthesis
of RNA and DNA – basis of discovery of recombinant DNA which helped
ignite biotechnology revolution. Founder, DNAX Institute.
“With more scientists struggling for grants in an era of tight
budgets, nobody is going to propose doing anything that is bold or
creative.”
Photo NIH. Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
Joshua Lederberg Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1958
Nobel co-recipients George Beadle, Edward Tatum
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1989
Geneticist. Genetic recombination and organization of genetic
material of bacteria. Artificial intelligence. NASA seeking life on
Mars. Fastest rate possible for growth of bacterial cell and why. Nobel
Prize at age 33.
At Nobel Banquet, “Pride is humbled as humility is exalted in the dignity and splendor of this occasion.”
Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.org
Fritz A. Lipmann M.D.,Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1953
Co-Nobelist Hans Krebs
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1966
Physician, Biochemist. Discovered co-enzyme A, its importance for
intermediary metabolism. Identified serine phosphate as constituent of
phosphoproteins which contain phosphate. CMP represents metabolically
active carbamyl donor.
Liljestrand, Science Academy: …Regarding fundamental discoveries
laymen ask for immediate practical application. Counter question of
Benjamin Franklin: Of what use is a new-born baby?
Painting Tim Tompkins – PaintHistory.com
Glenn T. Seaborg Ph.D.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1951
National Medal of Science – Chemistry 1991
Nobel co-recipient: Edwin M. McMillan
Nuclear Chemist. Transuranium – Plutonium. Isotopes
identification. Actinide concept. Atomic Bomb. Peaceful use of atomic
energy. Advisor to 10 US Presidents. Swedish ancestry. Journal since age 8 yrs. Hiking.
Franck Report: “I
had joined a committee of scientists who advocated the use of the
atomic bomb for demonstration purposes. We hoped the enemy would see the
destructive power of this weapon and immediately surrender. In June,
1945, we attempted to deliver our plan, the Franck Report, to President
Truman. I don’t know if he ever saw our work…”