LAUREATES

2013 BOWER AWARD AND PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCIENCE

Kenichi Iga, Dr.Eng.
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tokyo, Japan

Citation: For the conception and development of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser and its multiple applications to optoelectronics.



2013 BOWER AWARD FOR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Michael S. Dell
Dell, Inc.
Round Rock, Texas

Citation: For revolutionizing the accessibility of personal computing by his founding and leadership of Dell, Inc. and for his extraordinary philanthropy, through both his company and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, towards benefitting the lives of youth and families in the United States and abroad.



2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN CHEMISTRY

Jerrold Meinwald, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Citation: For his pioneering work leading to the establishment of the field of chemical ecology. His fundamental studies of how chemicals act as repellents and attractants between organisms pave the way for the use of these chemicals in a variety of biomedical, agricultural, forestry and household applications.



2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN COMPUTER AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE

William Labov, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Citation: For establishing the cognitive basis of language variation and change through rigorous analysis of linguistic data, and for the study of non-standard dialects with significant social and cultural implications.



2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Robert A. Berner, Ph.D.
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Citation: For deepening our understanding of the Earth system through studies of the chemistry of geologic processes and their influence on the atmosphere and oceans.



2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN LIFE SCIENCE

Rudolf Jaenisch, M.D.
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Citation: For discovering heritable controls of gene expression that are independent of the DNA sequence information. These mechanisms affect normal development and diseases, such as cancer, and suggest promising new therapies.



2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS SCIENCE

Subra Suresh, Sc.D.
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Citation: For outstanding contributions to our understanding of the mechanical behavior of materials in applications ranging from large structures down to the atomic level. This research also showed how deformation of biological cells can be linked to human disease.



2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN PHYSICS

Alexander Dalgarno, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Citation: For his many fundamental contributions to the development of the field of molecular astrophysics, which led to a better understanding of interstellar space, including the giant molecular clouds that are the birthplaces of stars and planets.

OVERVIEW

History

Founded in 1824, along with the The Franklin Institute, The Franklin Institute's Awards Program has long been recognized as the oldest, and most comprehensive science and technology honor bestowed in the country and around the world. At the time, Philadelphia was the nation's largest city and a noted center of innovation and manufacturing. While The Franklin Institute was initially established to train artisans and mechanics in the fundamentals of science, it soon began arranging a series of regular exhibitions of manufactured goods, along with the presentation of awards to recognize excellence in those areas.

In 1874 the all-volunteer Franklin Institute Committee on Science and the Arts began selecting Franklin Institute Award recipients. The Committee continues its work to this day, recognizing the fields of chemistry, computer and cognitive sciences, earth and environmental science, engineering, life science and physics through the Benjamin Franklin Medals. The Franklin Institute Awards are among the oldest and most prestigious science awards in the world, with winners recognized for their formidable and ground-breaking contributions to science.

Supplementing the Benjamin Franklin Medals are the two newest Franklin Institute Awards: the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science and the Bower Award for Business Leadership. Begun in 1990, the Bower Awards were made possible by a $7.5 million bequest from the noted Philadelphia chemical engineer Henry Bower. One of the most robust science prizes in the country, the Bower Award for Achievement in Science carries a cash prize of $250,000.

Laureates of The Franklin Institute are brought to Philadelphia each April for a weeklong series of events and activities aimed at connecting and celebrating the Laureates' remarkable accomplishments with area students and the community. The unique series of events culminates with a grand awards ceremony and elegant dinner, befitting the honor and distinction of this historic awards program.

The list of Franklin Institute Awards Laureates is a roster of science and technology's most important and influential names over the last two centuries, men and women who have deepened human knowledge at both the basic and the applied levels. This list includes Albert Einstein, Rudolph Diesel, Marie and Pierre Curie, Thomas Edison, Jane Goodall, Orville Wright, Stephen Hawking, and Jacques Cousteau, just to name a few.

Mission

The Franklin Institute's mission is to inspire an understanding of and passion for science and technology learning. Encouraging excellence and recognizing the far reaching impact of the laureates' achievements is one important way to preserve the legacy of Benjamin Franklin.

Through the Franklin Institute Awards, The Franklin Institute seeks to broaden public awareness and encourage an understanding of the world of science and technology. The celebrated work is evaluated on the basis of uncommon insight, skill and creativity, as well as its ability to impact the future or have some public benefit. In addition to celebrating the 'Franklins' of today, The Franklin Institute hopes to also inspire and influence the innovation of the 'Franklins' of tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

Eight individuals honored by The Franklin Institute for scientific and business achievements. (pdf)

The Franklin Institute announces the 2013 Franklin Award Laureates. (pdf)

Overview of The Franklin Institute Awards (pdf)

EVENTS

The Franklin Institute Awards Week 2013 is scheduled for April 22-26, 2013.

The Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony and Dinner will be on Thursday, April 25, 2013.

Contact: Stefanie Santo 215.448.1152