Materials, Medicine, and Molecules: Five with ties to MIT Awarded National Medals of Science, Technology and Innovation

President Joe Biden honors five from MIT as recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

On Jan. 3, President Joe Biden announced the newest recipients of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, five of whom have ties to MIT. 

Professor Angela Belcher, from Course 20 and 3 (Biological Engineering and Materials Science), and Professor Emery Brown, from Course 9 (Brain and Cognitive Sciences), were presented with the National Medal of Science. Professor Paula Hammond ’84 PhD ’93, Institute Professor (Chemical Engineering) and Vice Provost for Faculty, and Professor Feng Zhang, from Course 9 and 20, and Noubar Afeyan PhD ’87, CEO of Flagship Pioneering, were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

“The National Medal has always meant a lot because it’s the highest honor our country has in recognizing our scientists, engineers, and technologists,” Hammond said. “But most importantly, it’s meaningful because it acknowledges the work of everyone I’ve worked alongside—decades of students, collaborators, postdoctoral researchers—everyone who has been in the lab.”

Hammond has pioneered advancements in nanotechnology and immunology, spearheading the development of layer-by-layer nanoparticles that has enhanced effective drug delivery and tumor penetration. Her team is exploring immunotherapy strategies aimed at overcoming ovarian cancer’s resistance to treatment. Hammond said, “We’re heavily focused on fixing the broken parts of the immune response to develop a strong immunotherapy.”

Belcher has devoted her career to leveraging natural processes to create novel materials. Her work, which includes using viruses to grow materials at the nanoscale, has led to applications ranging from advanced batteries to solar cells to cancer detection and treatment.

Brown, who is also an attending anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, has focused on understanding how anesthesia affects the brain, particularly brain wave oscillations. His research not only aims to enable more precise monitoring and dosing to reduce postoperative side effects, but also aims to deepen understanding of brain function and provide strategies on improving brain health.

Zhang has played a seminal role in developing CRISPR-based tools, which have transformed genetic research and medicine. His research centers on developing biological tools and therapies for human diseases by studying processes in nature.

Afeyan is an American-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for co-founding the biotechnology company Moderna. He was the Institute’s 2024 Commencement Speaker and is a member of the MIT Corporation. 

Hammond, Belcher, Brown, and Zhang are not only pushing the boundaries of science but also are inspiring the next generation of researchers. As Hammond said, scientific progress is often challenging—experiments may fail, and obstacles are inevitable. “We need to hear [students’] unique perspective in the work that we do, because [they] bring fresh and new ideas, a different and unique way of thinking about things, and that helps us solve problems.”