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S. James Gates named Scientist of the Year

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Sylvester James Gates Jr., professor of theoretical physics at the University of Maryland, College Park, was named the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations 2014 Scientist of the Year. Gates was presented a special medal signed by President Drew Faust at the annual Harvard Foundation Albert Einstein Science Conference: “Advancing Minorities and Women in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.”

“The students and faculty of the foundation were pleased to honor Professor Gates with the 2014 Scientist of the year Award,” said S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation. “He is a brilliant and creative thinker, and an excellent role model for students of all backgrounds with aspirations for a career in the sciences. Jim is the consummate scientist, who loves physics and is committed to sharing his intellectual gifts with students of all ethnicities, genders and classes.”

Gates is the University System Regents Professor, John S. Toll Professor of Physics, and the Center for String and Particle Theory Director at the University of Maryland. He also serves on President Barack Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. President Obama awarded him the Medal of Science, the highest award given to scientists in the U.S.

Gates, holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a renowned theoretical physicist on supersymmetry, supergravity and superstring theory. Along with co-authors, he produced the first comprehensive book of supersymmetry in 1984.