Each year, Carnegie Science Center celebrates some of the Pittsburgh region’s most inspiring science and technology innovators with the Carnegie Science Awards. Today, theScience Center announced the recipient of the Chairman’s Award and the winners and honorable mentions in 16 categories, who will be celebrated at the 23rd Annual Carnegie Science AwardsCelebration on Fri., May 10, 2019.
Carnegie Science Award winners are selected by a committee of peers—both past awardees and industry leaders—who rigorously reviewed more than 200 nominations and selected the most deserving scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, communicators, educators, and students whose contributions have led to significant economic or societal benefit in western Pennsylvania.
This year’s exceptional innovators include a tuition-free technical education program that has connected thousands of unemployed and underemployed individuals to a job and living wage; a graduate student who trains residents in under-served neighborhoods to identify environmental concerns in their homes; a team that created an open-source database that will assist research teams in taking energy-saving action to reduce methane leaks; and the fastest-growing food recovery organization in the country whose app brings fresh food to those who need it most.
“The Carnegie Science Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the remarkably talented individuals and organizations in our region’s science community,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl, Jr., Interim Director of Carnegie Science Center. “These innovators have had immeasurable impact on Pittsburgh’s healthcare, manufacturing, energy, environmental, and education industries. Their achievements, dedication, and perseverance are truly inspiring.”
Among this year’s honorees is the recipient of the Chairman’s Award, which is presented to an individual or an organization that has made outstanding contributions in science, either through exemplary work in one field or through transcendent leadership, commitment, or achievement. The Chairman’s Award is only presented in years where there is an exceptional recipient who is deemed worthy of the distinction.
The 2019 Chairman’s Award will go to Remake Learning, which oversees a network of more than 500 organizations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia working together to accelerate engaging, relevant, and equitable learning. Recognizing that no one organization alone can transform teaching and learning, Remake Learning works to spark and share best practices and new ideas, make it easier for education colleagues to help each other, reduce duplicative efforts in the region, and leverage resources collectively for greater impact.
Winners and honorable mentions announced today (see below), along with three student winners who will be selected later this month at the Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair, will be honored during the 23rd Annual Carnegie Science Awards Celebration at Carnegie Science Center on Friday, May 10, 2019.
This year’s Carnegie Science Award honorees are:
- Chairman’s Award – Remake Learning
- Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Award – Permeability Engineering Through Strain Annealing Team, National Energy Technology Laboratory
- Corporate Innovation Award – Highmark Health’s VITAL Innovation Platform
- Start-Up Entrepreneur – Eric Xing, Petuum
- Entrepreneur Award – Jason Wolfe, Wolfe, LLC
- Environmental Award – Patricia M. DeMarco, Borough of Forest Hills
- Information Technology Award – 412 Food Rescue
- Innovation in Energy Award – Global Oil and Gas Infrastructure Team, National Energy Technology Laboratory
- Life Sciences – William J. Federspiel, University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering
- Science Communicator – Niki Kapsambelis, Simon & Schuster
- Elementary Educator Award – Jeffrey Patrick, Propel Schools
- Middle Level Educator – Deborah Reynolds, MEd, Baldwin-Whitehall School District
- High School Educator Award – Stephanie Reilly, Fox Chapel Area School District
- Postsecondary Educator – Sarah K. Woodley, PhD, Duquesne University
- Leadership in STEM Education – Community College of Beaver County High School Academies
- Leadership in Career and Technical Education – University of Pittsburgh Manufacturing Assistance Center
- College/University Student – Harold Rickenbacker, University of Pittsburgh
In addition, Honorable Mentions were awarded in 10 categories. They are:
- Advanced Manufacturing and Materials – Catalina Pineda-Molina, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Entrepreneur Honorable Mention – Lynsie Campbell, Lanespotter
- Environmental – Ryan Sullivan, Carnegie Mellon University
- Innovation in Energy – Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Team, National Energy Technology Laboratory
- Life Sciences – Dietrich A. Stephan, PhD, LifeX
- Science Communicator – Paul Kovach, University of Pittsburgh
- Middle Level Educator – Douglas Popovec, Slippery Rock Area School District
- High School Educator – John Gregorich, Ligonier Valley School District
- Postsecondary Educator – Bryan Brown, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
- College/University Student – Alexis Nolfi, University of Pittsburgh
Through the support of committed sponsors, the Carnegie Science Awards program has honored the accomplishments of more than 600 individuals and organizations. Eaton has been the presenting sponsor of the Carnegie Science Awards for 15 years.
Other sponsors and community partners who will present trophies during the Carnegie Science AwardsCelebration on May 10 include: ALCOSAN, Braskem, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kennametal Inc., NOVA Chemicals, Orionvega, Pittsburgh Business Times, Pittsburgh Technology Council, PPG, and WTAE Channel 4.
The May 10 celebration will feature a strolling dinner, silent auction, and awards presentation full of inspiring stories about the region’s top minds in science, technology, research, and education. AsCarnegie Science Center’s signature celebration of innovation and annual fundraiser, the event attracts 500 business, medical, academic, and community influencers from across the region, and raises funds to support education programs that nurture the next generation of science and technology leaders.
For more information about the awards celebration, go to www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org/ScienceAwards. |
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