Rita Colwell Awarded National Medal of Science

President George W. Bush awarded the National Medals of Science and National Medals of Technology, honoring the nation's leading researchers, inventors and innovators at a ceremony at the White House on Friday, July 27, 2007. Among those receiving the awards was Rita Colwell, who serves on the Board of Directors of Americans for UNESCO. The prestigious award program, which was established by Congress in 1959. honors individuals for pioneering scientific research in a range of fields, including physical, biological, mathematical, social, behavioral and engineering sciences. The award recognizes those who have enhanced our understanding of the world in ways that lead to innovations and technologies that give the United States its global economic edge.

This was the first time in four years that any women were included among those honored. (Dr. Nina Federoff, the new Science Advisor to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also received a 2006 National Medal of Science.)

Dr. Colwell's citation reads:

2006 National Medal of Science to Rita R. Colwell, for her in-depth research that has contributed to a greater understanding of the ecology, physiology, and evolution of marine microbes, most notably Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of pandemic cholera, and which has elucidated critical links between environmental and human health.

Congratulations Rita!