2010 Finalists—Science and Environment Medal
This award will recognize a federal employee for a significant contribution to the nation in activities related to science and environment (including biomedicine, economics, energy, information technology, meteorology, resource conservation and space). This medal is accompanied by a $3,000 award.
Rafat R. Ansari
Position: Senior Scientist
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Achievement: Led breakthroughs that could revolutionize the care and prevention of cataracts, the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
Jeffrey M. Baker
Position: Director, Office of Laboratory Operations, Golden Field Office
Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Location: Golden, Colorado
Achievement: Led the design and construction of the world’s largest net-zero energy office building, demonstrating that buildings can be created to decrease energy consumption at no additional cost.
Joshua Bienfang
Position: Physicist, Electron and Optical Physics Division
Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
Achievement: Used quantum physics and telecommunications technologies to develop a new way to send and receive 100 percent secure encrypted messages at record speeds.
Carl Burleson
Position: Director, Office of Environment and Energy
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Location: Washington, D.C.
Achievement: Leading government and industry to deliver a quieter, cleaner and more energy-efficient aviation system.
The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals are presented annually by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service to celebrate excellence in our federal civil service.
