Michael Pupin Medal for service to the nation in science, technology, or engineering
The medal is in honor of Michael I. Pupin, who was a legendary teacher, inventor, and engineer. He was a graduate of Columbia College in the Class of 1883 and was subsequently a faculty member at Columbia from 1890 to 1931. Michael Pupin was a physicist and chemist well known for numerous important patents and for having been a founding member of the precursor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Medal was first awarded in 1958.
The medal is in recognition of service to the nation in engineering, science, or technology, of lasting and broad significance to society as a whole. The impact of the contribution must reach beyond the candidate’s professional field.
This medal is awarded periodically by the Board of Managers of the Columbia Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA) with the concurrence of both the Dean of the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the President of Columbia University. The recipient must be either a graduate of the School of Engineering and Applied Science or must have otherwise been affiliated with Columbia University in some capacity such as a student, fellow, resident, faculty member, or visiting faculty member for at least one academic year.
Recipients
2023
Norbert Hirschhorn '58CC, '62VP&S
Dr. Norbert Hirschhorn is best known for his groundbreaking development of Oral Rehydration Therapy, saving an estimated 50 million lives worldwide. He has served as President of the Child Health Foundation, published a number of learned articles and books, and advocated for free and open access of published scientific work to all, promulgating science, education, and the role of science in public policy throughout his life's work.
2022
Dr. Brian Greene
Professor Greene is the Director of Columbia’s Center for Theoretical Physics and a Professor of Mathematics and Physics. Dr. Green’s research focuses on high energy nuclear/particle physics. He is world-renowned for his numerous innovative discoveries ranging from the fields of superstring theory to spatial topology change. Professor Greene’s latest book, Until the End of Time, focuses on understanding the Universe, deep time, and humanity’s search for purpose.
2022
Dr. Alfred V. Aho
Alfred Vaino Aho is a Canadian computer scientist best known for his work on programming languages, compilers, and related algorithms, and his textbooks on the art and science of computer programming. Dr. Aho was elected into the National Academy of Engineering in 1999 for his contributions to the fields of algorithms and programming tools. He and his long-time collaborator, Jeffrey Ullman, were the recipients of the 2020 Turing Award, generally recognized as the highest distinction in computer science.
2018
Dr. Robert Grubbs
Dr. Grubbs’ ground breaking work in organometallic chemistry has had broad applications in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, and plastics.
2017
Jacqueline Barton
Dr. Barton has pioneered the application of transition metal complexes to probe recognition and reactions of double helical DNA.
2016
Ronald Breslow
University Professor, where he is based in the Department of Chemistry and affiliated with the Departments of Biological Sciences and Pharmacology; he has also been on the faculty of its Department of Chemical Engineering. He has taught at Columbia since 1956 and is a former chair of the university’s chemistry department.
2016
Paul Marks
He is a faculty member and president emeritus at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After completing postdoctoral research at the United States National Institutes of Health and at the Institut Pasteur in France, he joined the faculty at Columbia University. Marks served as dean of the Medical Faculty at Columbia University from 1970 to 1973.
2015
Richard Axel
University Professor and MD in Neuroscience, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University; 2004 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine.
2014
Wafaa El-Sadr
University Professor of Medicine at Columbia University; founder and director of ICAP, whose HIV treatment and prevention programs have helped over 1 million people worldwide.
2012
Harold Varmus
Co-recipient of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovery of the cellular origin of retroviral oncogenes; presidential appointee to be Director of the National Cancer; researched the regulation of bacterial gene expression by cyclic AMP.
2008
Horst Stormer
Nobel Laureate in Physics 1998; for leadership in scientific research for two decades at Bell Laboratories and as scientific director of Columbia’s Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center; and for discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect, which has led to a breakthrough in understanding quantum physics and profound new insights into the structure and dynamics of matter.
2008
Harry Gray
Arnold O. Beckman Professor of Chemistry; Founding Director of the Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, for distinguished service to the nation in science and technology; for decades of inspired teaching of the chemists of tomorrow at Columbia University and California Institute of Technology; for pioneering research in the field of electron transfer in metalloproteins that represents a landmark in biological inorganic chemistry; for contributing insights applicable to such vital biological processes as respiration, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation.
2005
Richard N. Zare
He is known as the master laser chemist of our time, combining the pursuit of basic understanding with highly practical analytic applications; as the chairman of the National Science Board, the governing body of NSF, Prof. Zare has influenced the direction of research, college curriculum, and funding at all U.S. educational institutions.
2003
Eric R. Kandel
For his groundbreaking research in learning and memory, recognized by the 2000 Nobel Prize in Medicine, that has revolutionized our knowledge on how the brain functions, uncovering the secrets of synapses that hold promise for progress in finding help for brain dysfunctions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
2000
Henry L. Michel
For his vision to eliminate national, political and scientific boundaries to promote the growth of the construction industry; for his 50 years of management of massive construction projects, transportation planning, and rail and rapid transit system design; for his commitment to research; for his leadership of Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc.
2000
Leon M. Lederman
For his insight, tenacity and leadership in uncovering the secrets of neutrinos, muons and quarks; his cogent, compelling and witty writings on particle physics; his devotion to transforming the pursuit of science in secondary schools; his devotion to integrity in inquiry and his steadfast commitment to our scientists of the future.
1998
Robert C. Merton
For applying mathematics to problems involving time and uncertainty, exemplified by financial markets; for devising a formula for the valuation of stock options; seminal contributions to asset pricing theory; pioneering applications of continuous-time stochastic modeling methods in economics and finance; and for outstanding teaching as a professor of business administration.
1998
Cyril Harris
For his singular ability to blend the science of acoustics with the art of architecture to create the most important performing spaces in the world; for giving listening audiences exquisite venues for the enjoyment of the beautiful sounds of vocal and instrumental music; for providing guidance and wisdom to succeeding generations of architects and acoustical engineers.
1995
P. Roy Vagelos
For his leadership in the pharmaceutical industry; for his many contributions to biological science and pharmaceutical research; for his role in helping to discover and produce medicines that extend and enhance life; for his tireless efforts to promote global health as a public service; and for his outstanding work as a teacher.
1993
Frank Press
For his extensive work in seismic activity and wave theory; for organizing the first International Geophysical Year; and for his wise counsel to four Presidents of the United States.
1992
Norman F. Ramsey, Jr.
For discovery of the deuteron electric quadrupole moment, invention of high-precision methods of molecular beam spectroscopy, and observations of parity violating spin rotations of neutrons; and for educational leadership.
1991
Chien-Shiung Wu
For outstanding work in physics. her 1954 experiments single-handedly disproved the widely accepted principle of “conservation of parity;” her 1963 experiments confirmed the existence of weak magnetism in beta decay.
1991
Mario Salvadori
For his wide-ranging work in civil engineering, applied mathematics, architecture, and education.
1983
Kenneth A. Roe
For pioneering work in petroleum, electrical and nuclear Energy Construction, timeless service to Engineering Societies, and devotion to his government in advisory and active capacities.
1980
Isidor Isaac Rabi
(The outstanding American scientist of the century) For his groundbreaking work in atomic physics, his establishment of a major scientific center in America, his years of peace-promoting service to his country and to the world, and his extraordinary dedication to teaching.
1979
William James McGill
(President of Columbia University 1970-1980, and specialist in psychophysics) For outstanding contributions in information processing and mathematic psychology, commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression, and the advancement of higher education.
1967
Colonel John H. Glenn
The first American astronaut to orbit the earth.
1966
Frederick R. Kappel
(President, and then Chairman of the Board of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and life. Trustee of Columbia University) For his outspoken championship of free enterprise through strong personal example and wise council.
1961
John Edgar Hoover
For devotion and loyalty to the cause of public safety and the example that he set for the youth of the nation.
1959
Rear Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
Father of the atomic submarine.
1959
Honorable James T. O'Connell
For service to the nation in the fields of engineering and Federal construction; man power and industrial relations; personnel management and arbitration; and for his distinguished record of achievement as Under Secretary of Labor during the Eisenhower administration.
1959
William Francis Gibbs
As the country’s foremost designer of large ships he designed both the United States and the America for U.S. Lines. His Liberty ship allowed for mass production of freighters during World War II.
1959
Dean John R. Dunning
For his key role in the development of the atomic energy program pioneered some of the first neutron experiments in the country in 1932 and was director of the development of the first Columbia University Cyclotron in 1936.
1959
Brig. General Harrison K. Bird
For his endeavors in the field of science with Dr. Pupin in the development of inventions for the benefit of mankind.
1958
Major General John B. Medaris
For his planning and execution of the Ordinance phase of the Invasion of Normandy.
