The United States government has bestowed the prestigious National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation on 17 scientists, engineers and inventors for their outstanding contributions to advancing science and technology.

Presented by U.S. President Barack Obama, the awards are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists, engineers and inventors. Recipients of the awards are:

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National Medal of Science

Dr. Armand Paul Alivisatos, University of California and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, CA

Dr. Michael Artin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA

Dr. Albert Bandura, Stanford University, CA

Dr. Stanley Falkow, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY

Dr. Rakesh K. Jain, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, MA

Dr. Mary-Claire King, University of Washington, WA

Dr. Simon Levin, Princeton University, NJ

Dr. Geraldine Richmond, University of Oregon, OR

National Medal of Technology and Innovation

Dr. Joseph DeSimone, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Carbon3D, CA

Dr. Robert Fischell, University of Maryland at College Park, MD

Dr. Arthur Gossard, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

Dr. Nancy Ho, Green Tech America, Inc. and Purdue University, IN

Dr. Chenming Hu, University of California, Berkeley, CA

Dr. Mark Humayun, University of Southern California, CA

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, University of Connecticut, CT

Dr. Jonathan Rothberg, 4catalyzer Corporation and Yale School of Medicine, CT

Obama presented the awards at the East Room of the White House.

"These scientific laureates exemplify the American spirit and ingenuity that have enriched our society and the global community in profound and lasting ways," said Obama. "Their ambition and accomplishments are an inspiration to the next generation pursuing careers in the essential fields of science, technology, engineering, and math."

He praised the awardees for putting "countless revolutionary discoveries within our reach." He again appealed to young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Obama also announced a new advisory board to solicit suggestions from youngsters on how the government can support budding scientists and innovators.

"It is fun. I love this stuff," Obama said about science.

He said the "real reason we do this" is because "it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl or the NCAA tournament that deserves a celebration. We want the winners of science fairs, we want those who have invented the products and life-saving medicines and are engineering our future to be celebrated as well."

"Immersing young people in science, math, engineering ... that's what's going to carry the American spirit of innovation through the 21st century and beyond," Obama said.

TagsPresident Barack Obama, National Medal of Science, National Medal of Technology and Innovation