Outstanding Young Scientist and Outstanding Young Engineer Awards
The Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) award program was established in 1959 to recognize and celebrate extraordinary contributions of young scientists in Maryland. In 1988 the Outstanding Young Engineer (OYE) award was added to recognize contributions in engineering. Both awards are sponsored by the Maryland Academy of Sciences and conferred by the Maryland Science Center to encourage the important work of young scientists and engineers residing in the State of Maryland and increase public awareness of their accomplishments.
This year’s Outstanding Young Scientist award is named in memory of Alexander Haig. A gift from his estate funds the cash award and honors the former Secretary of State, White House Chief of Staff, and military veteran. Mr. Haig’s brother, Loyola University of Maryland professor emeritus Fr. Frank Haig, SJ, is chair of the Maryland Academy of Sciences’ Scientific Council.
Award recipients receive a cash award of $2,500. Many previous recipients of these awards have gone on to distinguished careers in science and engineering, including:
- Solomon H. Snyder, MD, (1969) Johns Hopkins University Professor of Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Psychiatry, 2003 National Medical of Science Recipient;
- Pedro Cuatrecasas, MD, (1971) University of California at San Diego, School of Medicine Adjunct Professor, 1987 Wolf Foundation Prize in Medicine Recipient; and,
- Angela Leimkuhler Moran, PhD, (1994) US Naval Academy Mechanical Engineering Department Professor, 2009 Recipient of the Women of Color STEM Conference Award for Corporate Promotion of Education.
The Outstanding Young Scientist award is newly endowed in 2011 by a generous gift to the Maryland Academy of Sciences by Reverend Frank R. Haig, S.J., Ph.D., Chairman of our Scientific Council, from the estate of his brother, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., a West Point graduate and four-star general, with a keen interest in applied science. The award is given in General Haig’s name.
The Outstanding Young Engineer award is given in the name of Allan C. Davis. Mr. Davis was a Baltimore native and graduate of Johns Hopkins University. He was a businessman and inventor who held several patents and served as President of the Academy and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He funded the Center’s Davis Planetarium.
Click for complete listings of past OYS and OYE award recipients.
Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception
to be held at the Maryland Science Center on Thursday May 26, 2011.