WASHINGTON — The engineering profession’s highest honors for 2011 will be presented by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) during a black-tie dinner event at Union Station in Washington, D.C. at 6:30 p.m. this evening. Earlier today, the prize winners were scheduled to have a discussion with middle school students participating in the National Engineers Week Future City competition, held in the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill.
Frances H. Arnold and Willem P.C. Stemmer will receive the prestigious Charles Stark Draper Prize — a $500,000 annual award that honors engineers whose accomplishments have significantly benefited society — “for directed evolution, a method used worldwide for engineering novel enzymes and biocatalytic processes for pharmaceutical and chemical products.”
Leroy Hood will receive the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize — a $500,000 biennial award recognizing a bioengineering achievement that significantly improves the human condition — “for automating DNA sequencing that revolutionized biomedicine and forensic science.”
Edward Crawley will receive the Bernard M. Gordon Prize — a $500,000 award issued annually that recognizes innovation in engineering and technology education — “for leadership, creativity, and energy in defining and guiding the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) Initiative, which has been widely adopted internationally for engineering education.” Half of each Gordon prize is granted to the recipient and the remainder is granted to the recipient’s institution to support the continued development, refinement, and dissemination of the recognized innovation.
“The NAE is delighted to honor these awardees,” said NAE president Charles Vest. “Their contributions as engineers have advanced health and quality of life in the U.S. and around the world, and have enhanced the education of future engineering leaders. Recognizing these outstanding engineers not only rewards great accomplishments but also shines a light on the importance of work that may inspire others to build on their achievements.”
The original release, including a better description of the accomplishments of each of the award winners, can be found here.