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AWARD CATEGORIES
Dr. Marie Maynard Daly Award
Commends outstanding graduate-level research.
Dr. Marie Maynard Daly was the first African American woman in the U.S. to earn a PhD in chemistry. Her research on biochemistry and human health paved the way for major scientific advances and inspired generations of students.
Chien‑Shiung Wu Award
Celebrates discoveries in hydrogen-related physics.
Chien-Shiung Wu was a groundbreaking experimental physicist whose work reshaped modern physics, including the famous Wu experiment that overturned a key assumption about particle behavior. Her precision and brilliance earned her global acclaim.
Clarence “Kelly” Johnson Award
Recognizes excellence in designing any hydrogen‑powered aircraft, drone, and more.
Clarence “Kelly” Johnson was one of history’s most gifted aircraft designers, leading Lockheed’s Skunk Works and creating revolutionary aircraft like the U-2 and SR-71. His genius for rapid, elegant engineering set the gold standard for aerospace innovation.
Dr. Geoffrey Ballard Award
Recognizes an emerging leader who is making significant contributions to hydrogen aviation.
Dr. Geoffrey Ballard was a modern champion of hydrogen fuel cell technology, founding Ballard Power Systems and leading the global shift toward clean energy. His vision helped bring hydrogen fuel cells into real-world applications.
James Dewar Award
Acknowledges outstanding achievements in hydrogen infrastructure
James Dewar was a pioneering physicist and chemist best known for inventing the Dewar flask, the forerunner to modern cryogenic storage. His breakthroughs in low-temperature science made today’s liquid hydrogen technologies possible.
The Amelia Earhart Award
Honors the top woman leading advancements in hydrogen aviation, spotlighting female leadership and inspiration.
Amelia Earhart was a trailblazing aviator whose fearless record-setting flights shattered barriers for women in aviation. Her daring spirit, technical skill, and global influence made her an icon of innovation and exploration.
Jack Parsons Award
Rewards fearless experimentation in hydrogen aviation.
Jack Parsons was an early rocketry pioneer whose bold experiments helped propel the United States into the space age. A founding figure of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he pushed boundaries with fearless—and often risky—innovation.
Theodore von Kármán Award
Pays tribute to a lifetime pioneering hydrogen aviation
Theodore von Kármán was a visionary aerospace scientist whose breakthroughs in aerodynamics, propulsion, and aircraft design laid the foundations of modern flight. His lifetime of work profoundly shaped aerospace engineering worldwide.
Frank Piasecki Award
Commends breakthroughs in hydrogen powered vertical flight.
Frank Piasecki was a rotorcraft pioneer who developed the world’s first successful tandem-rotor helicopter. His inventive approach to vertical flight pushed the boundaries of rotorcraft capabilities and opened new aviation frontiers.
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