UC Berkeley's Charles Townes and UC San Diego's Roger Tsien — both Nobel medalists — are among eight researchers who are recipients of the first Golden Goose Award, announced today (Sept. 13).
The awards, bestowed at a Capitol Hill ceremony today, celebrate researchers whose federally funded work, initially unrecognized or undervalued, turned out have to a significant impact on society.
Physicist Townes, who received a Nobel Prize in 1964, was recognized for his 1950s research in molecular and atomic spectroscopy that led to the invention of laser technology.
Tsien and fellow researchers Martin Chalfie and Osamu Shimomura were honored for research in how jellyfish glow in the dark. Their work has led to numerous medical research advances and the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2008.
Other honorees included Eugene White, Rodney White and the late Jon Weber, for their study of tropical coral that led to advances in bone graft technology.
The Golden Goose Award was the brainchild of Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and several additional organizations. The award is a counterpoint to the so-called "Golden Fleece Award," bestowed by the late Sen. William Proxmire, on examples of what he considered wasteful federal spending.
Related links
UC Berkeley: Laser discoverer Charles Townes to receive first Golden Goose Award
UC San Diego: Tsien honored with first-ever "Golden Goose Award"
Release: First Golden Goose Awards