Default | NEWS

4/10/2009

Lane wins American Institute of Physics' Compton Award

BY FRANZ BROTZEN
Rice News staff

Neal Lane, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor and senior fellow in science and technology policy at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, has won the 2008 Karl T. Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics, presented by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).

	NEAL LANE

The award is named for Karl Taylor Compton in honor of his service to the physics community. It was established by the AIP in 1957 for "... occasional conferment upon some distinguished physicist who has made an outstanding contribution to physics. The award should be given not necessarily for distinguished research, but for outstanding statesmanship in science."

Reacting to the announcement, Lane said, "I was surprised and am deeply honored to receive this recognition, which is very special to me since K.T. Compton was a legendary figure in physics research, education, administration and pubic service and because the award is made on behalf of the physics community."

The AIP announcement highlights Lane's achievement as a scientist and educator, including his work in theoretical atomic and molecular physics -- especially electronic and atomic collisions and properties of excited ions in high-temperature fusion plasmas and excited atoms in liquid helium.

Lane is also recognized for his many writings and presentations on science and technology policy. From 1979 to 1980, he served as director of the Division of Physics of the National Science Foundation. From October 1993 to August 1998, Lane served in the federal government as director of the National Science Foundation and member (ex-officio) of the National Science Board.

In 1998, President Clinton appointed Lane assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy -- a position often referred to as the president's science adviser. He served in this capacity until January 2001.

Finally, the announcement notes Lane's current role at Rice's Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Baker Institute, where he is engaged in matters of science and technology policy.

The certificate presented to Lane cites his "leadership and service to the physics community and to science: for serving as a model 'civic scientist,' for his advocacy of public understanding of science and technology and for his championship of scientific research and education."

"Whether in the classroom or in the White House, Dr. Lane has always served the science community and the larger society as a distinguished civic scientist," said AIP Executive Director & CEO H. Frederick Dylla. "Throughout his long career, he has been a champion of research and a tireless advocate of better public understanding of science and technology."

Lane will receive the Compton Medal, a certificate of recognition and a check for $10,000 May 3 at the Denver meeting of the American Physical Society.