The New Academy Awardees!
The Washington Academy of Sciences has announced the following awards to scientists, engineers and educators living in the Washington, DC area. Congratulations to these people for their amazing achievements!
On May 7, 2026 the Academy hosted its annual Awards Banquet at the Center for Naval Analyses in Arlington, VA. Many of the awards this year went to researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Photos of the awardees and their nominators are shown below. The MC for the event was Dr. Judy Staveley, who also took the photos. Academy President Matt Humbard presented the awards.
Ms. Olivia Zhao received the Student Achievement Award. She was introduced by Mr. Matthew Zamora (r).
Dr. Darryl Boyd received the Krupshaw Award for Non-traditional Teaching.
Dr. Amrita G. Madabushi (l) received the Leo Schubert Award for Teaching Science in College. Dr. Judy Staveley is on the right.
Dr. Polette Centellas received the Early Career Award in Engineering. She was introduced by Dr. Christopher Soles and Nancy Sottos.
Dr. Rohan Chandra received the Early Career Award in Computer Science and Engineering. He was introduced by Dr. Dinesh Manocha (r).
Dr. Nehika Mathur received the Early Career Award in Engineering. She was introduced by Mr. Simon Frechette (r).
Dr. Howard S. Cohl received the Excellence in Research Award in Mathematics. He was introduced by Dr. Bonita Saunders.
Dr. Danmeng Shuai received the Excellence in Research Award in Environmental Health Engineering.
Dr. Jared Kenneth Wahlstrand received the Excellence in Research Award in Physical Science. He was introduced by Dr. Christina Hacker.
Mr. Jason D. Averill received the Leadership Award in Building and Fire Safety. He was introduced by Mr. Simon Frechette (r).
Ms. Barbara L. Goldstein received the Leadership Award in Quantum Technology. She was introduced by Dr. Gerald Fraser.
Mr. Prem Rachakonda received the Leadership Award in Engineering Sciences. He was introduced by Dr. Kamel Saidi (r).
Dr. Kelley Conner Rogers received the Leadership Award in Advanced Manufacturing. She was introduced by Dr. Mike Molnar.
Dr. Tim Finin received the Distinguished Career Award in Computer Science. He was introduced by Ram D. Sriram (r).
Congratulations to these excellent awardees!
If you know of a local scientist, engineer or educator who may be worthy of an award, please send a nomination to our Awards Committee any time!
2026: A Year of Progress for the Academy
Board of Managers of the Washington Academy of Sciences
Here are the elected board members of the Washington Academy of Sciences for 2026-27. From left: Kris Rath, Vijay Kowtha, Ken Lesley, Sethanne Howard, Matt Humbard, Mike Cohen, Ram Sriram, Mala Ramaiah, Jerry Gibbon, Judy Staveley. Not shown are Paul Arveson and at-large members Patricia Snow, Raven Baxter, Carolyn Carroll.
Tributes to the Washington Academy of Sciences on its 125th Anniversary
In May 2023 The Washington Academy of Sciences celebrated its 125th Anniversary in conjunction with its Annual Awards Banquet. Special highlights of this event included tributes to the Academy from four leading scientists in the Washington DC area. Following are short videos of their presentations:
Dr. S. Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dr. S. Panchanathan, previous Director of the National Science Foundation, offers encouraging comments about the educational work of the Washington Academy of Sciences.
Dr. William Phillips, National Institute of Science and Technology
Dr. Phillips won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997 for his development of techniques for the study and manipulation of single cold atoms, which led to more precise GPS location mapping, precision clocks and other practical solutions.
Dr. Vint Cerf, Google Inc.
Dr. Cerf was one of the early developers of the internet. He has been a long-time member and supporter of the Washington Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Laurie Locascio, Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Dr. Locascio recently retired as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). From 2017 to 2022, Locascio served as Vice President for Research at the University of Maryland.
The board members of the Washington Academy of Sciences are grateful for the recognition offered to the Academy by these leading science and management leaders from the DC area!
Past Presentations
The Washington Academy of Sciences now includes on this website an archive of audio, video and slide presentations sponsored or submitted by members of the Academy. Please visit our presentations page for a list of these fascinating presentations!
