2 Caltech Professors Win Honors

President Bush has awarded the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology to 30 scientists, engineers and mathematicians, including two Caltech professors.

“More and more, our nation depends on basic, scientific research to spur economic growth, longer and healthier lives, a more secure world and indeed a safer environment,” Bush said at a recent presentation ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

“If America is to maintain and strengthen our competitive position, we must continue not only to create new technologies but learn more effectively to translate those technologies into commercial products,” he added.

Eight of the 30 awards went to California scientists, including the two from Caltech:

* Edward B. Lewis, Thomas Hunt Morgan Professor of Biology Emeritus.

* John D. Roberts, professor of chemistry.

Award recipients were chosen by the presidential Committee on the National Medal of Science, based on the nominees’ achievements in their fields and how they affected development of scientific thought.