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.”

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

Harold Varmus M.D.

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1989
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 2001

Nobel co-recipien: J. Michael Bishop

Physician, Scientist, Litterateur. Cellular origin of retroviral oncogenes. Co-founder, Public Library of Science Journals. Initiated doubling NIH budget. Interests: cycling, rowing.

‘Unflappable Varmus’

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.

John N. Bahcall Ph.D.

National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1998

Award “For his fundamental contributions to areas of modern astrophysics ranging from solar neutrino physics to the structure of the Milky Way Galaxy to cosmology, and for his leadership of the astronomical community, especially his tireless advocacy of the Hubble Space Telescope.”

Don L. Anderson Ph.D.

National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1998

Award: “For his leading contributions to understanding the composition, structure, and dynamics of Earth and Earth-like planets, and his influence on the advancement of Earth sciences over the past three decades nationally and internationally.”

Walter Kohn

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1998
The National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1988

Award: “for his development of the density-functional theory”

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.

,em>”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.

James D. Watson

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1962

The President’s National Medal of Sciences – Biological Sciences 1997

Co-Nobelists Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins

Zoologist. ‘Discovered molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material.’ Very generous with subordinates regarding authorship of articles.

“Good science is difficult. We must believe strongly in our ideas.”

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.

Daniel M. Nathans M.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1978
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1993

Nobel co-recipients Werner Arber, Hamilton O. Smith

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.”

Donald J. Cram Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1987
The President’s National Medal of Science – Chemistry 1993

Co-Nobelists: Jean-Marie Lehn, Charles J. Pedersen

Organic Chemist. Development, use of molecules with structure-specific interactions of high selectivity. Taught himself solid geometry from book, winning scholarship. High emotional intelligence.

When word “research” entered my vocabulary, it had magic ring, suggesting search for new phenomena. Chemical research became my god, and conducting it, my act of prayer.

Howard M. Temin Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1975
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1992

Nobel Co-recipients David Baltimore, Renato Dulbecco

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.

Gertrude B. Elion M.S.[Chemistry]

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1988
National Medal of Science – Chemistry 1991

Co-Nobelists: Sir James W. Black, George H. Hitchings

Chemist, Pharmacologist. Discovered principles for drug treatment; developed drugs – anticancer, immunosuppressive, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-gout, anti-malarial. Purines.

“I was a child with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. My beloved grandfather died of cancer when I was 15. I was highly motivated to discover a cure for this terrible disease”.

Elkan R. Blout

The National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1990

Prize “For his pioneering studies of protein conformation and devotion to the scientific enterprise of this Nation.”

Baruj Benacerraf, M.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1980
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1990

Nobel co-recipients: Jean Dausset, George D. Snell

Physician, Scientist – Immunologist, teacher, remarkable leader. Discovered genetically determined structures on the cell surface that regulate immunological reactions.

“Baruj did not always get on well with those in authority, often because he felt he could do their jobs so much better than they did …”

Frederick Reines B.S. (Mechanical Engineering), Ph.D. (Physics)

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1994
National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1983

Nobel co-recipient Martin L. Perl

Award: “for the detection of the neutrino”

Paul C. Lauterbur Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2003
The President’s National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1987
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation 1988

Nobel Co-recipient Sir Peter Mansfield

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.”

Roger Wolcott Sperry Ph.D. [Zoology], M.A. [Psychology]

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1981
The President’s National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1989

Nobel co-recipients David H. Hubel, Torsten N. Wiesel

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.”

Jack Steinberger Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1988
National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1988 USA

Co-Nobelist: 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”.

William O. Baker Ph.D.

National Medal of Science – Chemistry 1988

Prize: “For pioneering studies of the complex relationships between the molecular structures and physical properties of polymers, for a distinguished record of leadership in the combined disciplines of science and engineering, and for distinguished service to government and education.”

David A. Bromley

The National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1988

Prize: “For seminal work on nuclear molecules, for development of tandem accelerators and semi-conductor detectors for charged particles, for his contributions to particle-gamma correlation studies, and for his role in founding the field of precision heavy-ion physics.”

Detlev W. Bronk

The National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1988

Prize: “For his highly original research in the field of physiology and for his manifold contributions to the advance of science and its institution in the service of society.”

George J. Stigler Ph.D., M.B.A.

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1981
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.”

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.

Solomon Buchsbaum

The National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1986

Prize: “For his wise contributions to national science and technology policy, and for his studies of solid state plasmas.”

Horace Crane

The President’s National Medal of Science Physical Sciences 1986

“For the first measurement of the magnetic moment and spin of free electrons and positrons.”

Robert Hofstadter Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physics, 1961
National Medal of Science – Physical Science 1986

Nobel co-recipient Rudolf Mössbauer

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.

Herbert Simon

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1978
National Medal of Science – Behavioral and Social Science, 1986

Award: “for his pioneering research into the decision-making process within economic organizations”

Howard L. Bachrach, Ph.D.

The President’s National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1983

Prize: “For his pioneering research in molecular virology, including identification of the immunizing protein, and his collaborative role in the use of gene splicing to produce the first effective protein vaccine for use in animals or humans.”
Chicago Economics Department intellectual ferment – intense intellectual atmosphere; captivated him.”

Seymour Benzer, Ph.D.[Physics]

National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1982

Physicist, molecular biologist, behavioral biologist (neurogeneticist). Post Pearl Harbor worked in secret wartime project studying semiconducting properties of germanium, work that foreshadowed development of transistor. Functional gene is a linear stretch of DNA with definable boundaries. Stretches of DNA are all linked to each other as adjacent pieces of chromosome.

Roald Hoffmann Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1981
The President’s National Medel of Sciences – Chemistry – 1983

Nobel co-recipient: Kenichi Fukui

Chemist, Poet, Philosopher, Writer, Chemistry Teacher Text/Television.

Robert R. Burris

The National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1979

Award: “For numerous original contributions leading to an understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the process of biological nitrogen fixation.”

Arthur Kornberg M.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1959
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1979

Nobel co-recipient Servero Ochoa

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.”

H. Gobind Khorana, Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1968
National Medal of Sciences – Biological Sciences 1978

Co-Nobelists: Robert W. Holley, Marshall W. Nirenberg

Organic Chemist, Biochemist. ‘Genetic code interpretation, function in protein synthesis. Pioneered synthesizing biologically active gene, determine codon triplets’ nucleotides order. Unraveled genetic code, how nucleic acids form proteins. Pioneered genetic engineering. Multidisciplinary work.

“Wife brought sense of purpose. In foreign country, I felt out of place everywhere, at home nowhere.”

Roger Guillemin M.D., Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1977
National Medal of Science-Biological Sciences 1976 USA

Nobel co-recipients Andrew V. Schally, Rosalyn Yalow

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.

Erwin Chargaff

National Medal of Science Biological Sciences 1974

For fundamental chemical and biological studies establishing the basis for modern concepts of the mechanisms of protein synthesis and the genetic role of nucleic acids.

Paul J. Flory Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1974
National Medal of Sciences – Physical Sciences 1974

Award: “for his fundamental achievements, both theoretical and experimental, in the physical chemistry of the macromolecules”

Linus Pauling Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1954
The Nobel Peace Prize 1962
National Medal of Sciences – Physical Sciences 1974

Award: “for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances.”
Also awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1962. As of Sept. 2019, only four persons and two organizations have been awarded the Nobel Prize multiple times.

Daniel I. Arnon, Ph.D.

National Medal of Science Science – Biological Sciences 1973

Plant Physiologist. Photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation. Child prodigy. Post-Sputnik national committee. Wrote four chapters on evolution of life processes in “Blue Series” high-school biology textbook, widely translated, nationally acclaimed. Budgeted well time and circumstances. Debater, played devil’s advocate with zest.

Reminded those weary of duplicating, “Repetition is the mother of learning.”

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.”

Herbert C Brown Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1979
The President’s National Medal 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!

Lars Onsager Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1968
National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1968

Award: “for the discovery of the reciprocal relations bearing his name, which are fundamental for the thermodynamics of irreversible processes”

Paul D. Bartlett Ph.D.

National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1968

Prize: “For his leadership in advancing our understanding of the mechanisms by which chemical reactions take place, and for his success in training younger teachers and researchers.”

Eugene Wigner Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1963
The President’s National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1968

Nobel co-recipients Maria Goeppert Mayer, J. Hans D. Jensen

Award: “for his contributions to the theory of the atomic nucleus and the elementary particles, particularly through the discovery and application of fundamental symmetry principles”

Francis Birch, Ph.D.

National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1967

Prize: “For outstanding contributions to geophysics which have immeasurably increased our understanding of the composition and the processes of the interior of the earth.”

Gregory Breit

The National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1967

Prize “For pioneering contributions to the theoretical understanding of nuclear structure and particle dynamics, for highly significant work in atomic and ionospheric physics, and for the inspiration he has given to several generations of American physicists.” Presented by President Johnson at a White House ceremony on February 13, 1967

Kenneth Cole

The President’s National Medal of Science Biological Sciences 1967

“For highly original experimental and theoretical investigations of the electrical properties of biological membranes that have led to a deep understanding of the functioning of nerves.”

John H. van Vleck Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1977
The President’s National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1966

Nobel co-recipients Philip W. Anderson, Sir Nevill F. Mott

Award: “for their fundamental theoretical investigations of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems”

Edward F. Knipling

The National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1966

Prize: “For outstanding original contributions involving unique biological approaches to the control of insect vectors responsible for diseases of humans, domesticated animals and plants.”

Fritz A. Lipmann M.D., Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1953
National Medal of Science – Biological Sciences 1966

Co-Nobelist Hans Krebs

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?

Jacob A.B. Bjerknes

National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1964

Prize: “By watching and studying maps he discovered the cylone-making waves of the air and the climate-controlling changes of the sea.”

Robert B. Woodward Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1965
National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1964

Award: “for his outstanding achievements in the art of organic synthesis”

Julian Schwinger Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1965
National Medal of Science – Physical Sciences 1964

Nobel co-recipients Sin-Itiro Tomonaga, Richard P. Feynman

Award: “for their fundamental work in quantum electrodynamics, with deep-ploughing consequences for the physics of elementary particles”

Roger Adams Ph.D.

National Medal of Science – Chemistry 1964

Prize: “For superb contributions [to chemistry] as a scientist, teacher and imaginative leader in furthering the constructive interaction of academic and industrial scientists.”