Mercer Times

Princeton University has been prominently recognized at the National Medal of Science awards, with several of its affiliates receiving this prestigious honor. Molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler was awarded for her pioneering work in bacterial communication. Alongside her, emeritus faculty members Larry Martin Bartels and Ingrid Daubechies, as well as alumni John Dabiri and Cynthia Dwork, were also honored.

The awards ceremony took place on January 3rd at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House. President Joseph Biden acknowledged the recipients during a livestreamed event, stating, “Congratulations to those recipients of two of our nation’s most prestigious honors, the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation.” He emphasized that the honorees represent America's potential: "As I’ve always believed, America can be defined by a single word, ‘possibilities.’ That’s who we are, a nation of possibilities.”

Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber expressed his pride in Bassler's achievements: “Bonnie’s groundbreaking discoveries about bacterial messaging have revolutionized our concepts of what molecular communication can be.” He highlighted how Princeton encourages intellectual risks and curiosity among its community.

Bassler's award citation praised her for paving the way to novel therapies against bacteria through her research on microbial messaging systems. She remarked on the significance of mentoring future scientists: “Most moving and memorable to me were the speeches at the ceremony...about the importance of the recipients’ research and mentorship.”

Larry Martin Bartels was recognized for his contributions to understanding democratic institutions. His work offers insights into political accountability and economic inequality. Christopher Achen from Princeton described Bartels as "the preeminent scholar of American representative democracy."

Ingrid Daubechies received recognition for her work in wavelets which transformed signal processing technology. Charles Fefferman noted her impact on modern technology through her discoveries.

John Dabiri was honored for advancements in aeronautical engineering inspired by biological systems like fish movements. His work contributes to sustainable energy solutions.

Cynthia Dwork was acknowledged for her contributions to computer science, particularly in cryptography and data privacy. Her innovations guide technologies crucial to societal advancement.

These awards highlight significant contributions from Princeton's faculty and alumni across various scientific fields.