Awards & Winners

1989 National Medal of Science

Check winners and nominations of 1989 National Medal of Science. Check awards winners of 1989 National Medal of Science. (Click on the Award name to show winners and nominees)

National Medal of Science for Physical Science

Arnold Orville Beckman

(For his leadership in the development of analytical instrumentation, and for his deep and abiding concern for the vitality of the Nation's scientific enterprise.)
National Medal of Science for Chemistry

Richard Barry Bernstein

(For his development and use of the technique of molecular beams, which have played a significant role in shaping the field of modern chemical dynamics.)
National Medal of Science for Chemistry

Melvin Calvin

(For his pioneering studies in the mechanism of photosynthesis and bioenergetics, and for the application of scientific theory toward the solution of the most fundamental problems of the age--energy, food, chemical and viral carcinogenesis, and the origin of life.)
National Medal of Science for Engineering

Harry George Drickamer

(For his discovery of the pressure tuning of electronic energy levels as a way to obtain new and unique information on the electronic structure of solids.)
National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences

Katherine Esau

(For her distinguished service to the American community of plant biologists, and for the excellence of her pioneering research, both basic and applied, on plant structure and development, which has spanned more than six decades; for her superlative performance as an educator, in the classroom and through her books; for the encouragement and inspiration she has given to a legion of young, aspiring plant biologists; and for providing a special role model for women in science.)
National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences

Viktor Hamburger

(For his steadfast work that led to the discovery and understanding of normally occurring neuronal death, nerve growth factor, and competitive relationships in the vertebrate nervous system.)
National Medal of Science for Mathematics and Computer Science

Samuel Karlin

(For his broad and remarkable researches in mathematical analysis, probability theory and mathematical statistics, and in the application of these ideas to mathematical economics, mechanics, and population genetics.)
National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences

Philip Leder

(For his innovative studies that have significantly advanced knowledge and provided new directions for research in molecular genetics, immunology and cancer etiology.)
National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences

Joshua Lederberg

(For his work in bacterial genetics and immune cell single type antibody production; for his seminal research in artificial intelligence in biochemistry and medicine; and for his extensive advisory role in government, industry and international organizations that address themselves to the societal role of science.)
National Medal of Science for Mathematics and Computer Science

Saunders Mac Lane

(For revolutionizing the language and content of modern mathematics by his collaboration in the creation and development of the fields of homological algebra and category theory, for outstanding contributions to mathematics education, and for incisive leadership of the mathematical and scientific communities.)
National Medal of Science for Chemistry

Rudolph A. Marcus

(For his fundamental, far-reaching, and eminently useful developments of theories of unimolecular reactions and of electron transfers in chemistry and biochemistry.)
National Medal of Science for Chemistry

Harden M. McConnell

(For his original and insightful research that has had a profound impact on twentieth-century mathematics, and for his role as an inspiring teacher to generations of American mathematicians.)
National Medal of Science for Physical Science

Eugene Parker

(For his fundamental studies of plasmas, magnetic fields, and energetic particles on all astrophysical scales; for his development of the concept of solar and stellar winds; and for his studies on the effects of magnetic fields on the solar atmosphere.)
National Medal of Science for Mathematics and Computer Science

Donald C. Spencer

(For his original and insightful research that has had a profound impact on twentieth-century mathematics, and for his role as an inspiring techer to generations fo American mathematicians.)
National Medal of Science for Physical Science

Henry Melson Stommel

(For his original, penetrating and fundamental contributions to the physics of ocean circulation.)
National Medal of Science for Behavioral and Social Science

Robert Sperry

(For his work on neurospecificity which showed how the intricate brain networks for behavior are effected through a system of chemical coding of individual cells, which has made fundamental contributions to the understanding of human nature.)
National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences

Roger Wolcott Sperry

(For his work on neurospecificity which showed how the intricate brain networks for behavior are effected through a system of chemical coding of individual cells, which has made fundamental contributions to the understanding of human nature.)
National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences

Harland G. Wood

(For his pioneering work on the biochemistry of CO2 fixation, for major contributions to medical education, and for leadership in biochemistry at the national and international levels.)
National Medal of Science for Engineering

Herbert E. Grier

(For his pioneering scientific contributions and his leadership role in ultra-high-speed electronic stroboscopy, electro-optic innovations, national defense, and aerospace sciences.)
National Medal of Science for Physical Science

Robert P. Sharp

(For his research that has illuminated the nature and origin of the forms and formation processes of planetary surfaces and for teachnig two generations of scientists and laymen to appreciate them; for his recruitment and leadership of a successful multidisciplinary department of earth and planetary scientists who have agined world recognition.)