In the White House East Room, President Bush awarded medals to Riccardo Giacconi and Solomon Snyder. PHOTO BY KAVEH SARDARI

Johns Hopkins professors Riccardo Giacconi and Solomon Snyder were among the elite group of eight presented with National Medal of Science awards by President Bush in a White House ceremony held last week. Established in 1959, the award is the nation's highest honor for science and is administered by the National Science Foundation.

Giacconi, University Professor in the Krieger School's Department of Physics and Astronomy, was honored for his pioneering research in X-ray astronomy and for his leadership of major astronomy facilities. Snyder, University Distinguished Service Professor of Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Psychiatry in the School of Medicine, was recognized for his contributions to the understanding of neurotransmitters, their receptors in the nervous system, mechanisms of action of psychoactive drugs, and pathways of signal transduction in the brain.

"All of you have been blessed with great talent, and you have applied your talent to great purposes," said Bush before handing out the National Medals of Science and Technology. "Your work is making our country more competitive, more hopeful and more prosperous. On behalf of a grateful nation, congratulations for earning [these awards]."

President Bush awards a medal to Riccardo Giacconi PHOTO BY KAVEH SARDARI

President Bush awards a medal to Solomon Snyder PHOTO BY KAVEH SARDARI

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