Double Helix Medal

Last updated
Double Helix Medal
Awarded forIndividuals who have positively impacted human health by raising awareness and funds for biomedical research
CountryUnited States
Presented by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
First awarded2006
Website www.cshl.edu/giving/double-helix-medals-dinner

The Double Helix Medal has been awarded annually since 2006 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) to individuals who have positively impacted human health by raising awareness and funds for biomedical research. At the inaugural dinner, Muhammad Ali received the first Double Helix Medal for his fight against Parkinson's disease. Other notable recipients include founders of Autism Speaks Suzanne and Bob Wright; former Paramount Pictures head Sherry Lansing who produced the Stand Up to Cancer telethon; Evelyn Lauder who founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Hank Greenberg of the Starr Foundation, which is one of the largest supporters of scientific research; Marilyn and Jim Simons, the world's largest individual supporters of autism research; David H. Koch who has donated over $300 million to biomedical research; and prominent scientists and Nobel laureates.

Contents

The Double Helix Medal is named for the iconic structure of the DNA molecule, discovered by James D. Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin. The study of DNA is central to biological research, and is at the heart of work at CSHL.

The annual New York City gala at which the medals are awarded was sparked by philanthropist Cathy Cyphers Soref, an Honorary Director of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association.

Medal recipients

2022:

2021: [1]

2020: [2]

2019: [3]

2018: [4] /

2017: [5]

2016: [6]

2015: [7]

2014: [8]

November 4, 2013: [9]

November 28, 2012: [10]

November 15, 2011: [11]

November 9, 2010: [12]

November 10, 2009: [13]

November 6, 2008: [14]

November 8, 2007: [15]

November 9, 2006: [16]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Watson</span> American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist (born 1928)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Perutz</span> Austrian-born British molecular biologist (1914–2002)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</span> Private, non-profit research institution in US

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Alberts</span> American biochemist (born 1938)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Botstein</span> American biologist

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth F. Neufeld</span> French-American geneticist

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evelyn M. Witkin</span> American geneticist (1921–2023)

Evelyn M. Witkin was an American bacterial geneticist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1944–1955), SUNY Downstate Medical Center (1955–1971), and Rutgers University (1971–1991). Witkin was considered innovative and inspirational as a scientist, teacher and mentor.

Kathryn Wasserman Davis was an American investor, painter, philanthropist, and political activist. She was a longtime promoter of women's rights and planning parenthood. She was committed to engaging local communities, particularly regarding the environment on the Hudson River and Maine coast, and also concerned with access to high-quality education. At the age of 94, she began an artistic adventure, producing more than 200 paintings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Dolan</span> American billionaire businessman (1926–2024)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce William Stillman</span> Australian biochemist and cancer researcher

Bruce William Stillman is a biochemist and cancer researcher who has served as the Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) since 1994 and President since 2003. He also served as the Director of its NCI-designated Cancer Center for 25 years from 1992 to 2016. During his leadership, CSHL has been ranked as the No. 1 institution in molecular biology and genetics research by Thomson Reuters. Stillman's research focuses on how chromosomes are duplicated in human cells and in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae; the mechanisms that ensure accurate inheritance of genetic material from one generation to the next; and how missteps in this process lead to cancer. For his accomplishments, Stillman has received numerous awards, including the Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. Prize in 2004 and the 2010 Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, both of which he shared with Thomas J. Kelly of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, as well as the 2019 Canada Gairdner International Award for biomedical research, which he shared with John Diffley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David L. Spector</span>

David L. Spector is a cell and molecular biologist best recognized for his research on gene expression and nuclear dynamics. He is currently a Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). From 2007 to 2023, he served as Director of Research of CSHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anne Churchland</span> Neuroscientist

Anne K. Churchland is a neuroscientist at University of California, Los Angeles. Her laboratory studies the function of the posterior parietal cortex in cognitive processes such as decision-making and multisensory integration. One of her discoveries is that individual neurons in rodent posterior parietal cortex can multitask i.e. play a role in multiple behaviors. Another discovery is that rodents are similar to humans in their ability to perform multisensory integration, i.e. to integrate stimuli from two different modalities such as vision and hearing.

Gregory James Hannon is a professor of molecular cancer biology and director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge while also serving as a director of cancer genomics at the New York Genome Center and an adjunct professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Krainer (scientist)</span> Uruguayan neuroscientist

Adrian Robert Krainer is a Uruguayan-American biochemist and molecular geneticist known for his research into RNA gene-splicing. He helped create a drug for patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Krainer holds the St. Giles Foundation Professorship at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Laurel Hollow, New York.

Leemor Joshua-Tor is the W.M. Keck Professor of Structural Biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. Her research focuses on the role of the argonaute complex in RNA interference.

Victor King McElheny is an American science writer and journalist, who has covered a wide variety of topics, including the Apollo lunar landing program, molecular biology, astronomy, science in Antarctica, and environmental issues.

References

  1. Lee, Jasmine (November 18, 2021). "16th annual Double Helix Medals dinner raises $5M". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  2. Roncero-Menendez, Sara (November 25, 2020). "15th annual Double Helix Medals goes virtual". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  3. Roncero-Menendez, Sara (November 7, 2019). "14th annual Double Helix Medals dinner raises over $4 million". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  4. Roncero-Menendez, Sara (November 8, 2018). "13th Double Helix Medals dinner raises over $4 million". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  5. Roncero-Menendez, Sara (November 16, 2017). "12th Double Helix Medals dinner raises $4.5 million for research & education at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  6. Department, Communications (December 2, 2016). "11th Double Helix Medals raises $4.3 million for biomedical research and education at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  7. Department, Communications (November 10, 2015). "10th Double Helix Medals Dinner raises record $4.5 million for biomedical research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  8. Department, Communications (November 13, 2014). "Double Helix gala raises record $4 million for biomedical research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  9. Department, Communications (November 5, 2013). "Robin Roberts, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld honored at 8th annual Double Helix Medals Dinner". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  10. Department, Communications (November 30, 2012). "Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory honors innovation and inspiration at 7th Double Helix gala". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  11. Department, Communications (November 16, 2011). "Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory honors stars of science and sports at sixth annual gala". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  12. Department, Communications (November 11, 2010). "More than $3 million raised at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory gala". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  13. Zeidlickis, Dagnia (November 12, 2009). "$2.8 million raised at 2009 Double Helix Medals dinner". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  14. Department, Communications (November 11, 2008). "$3.6 Million raised at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's 2008 Double Helix Medals Dinner". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  15. Department, Communications (November 21, 2007). "$3.1 Million Raised at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's 2007 Double Helix Medals Dinner". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  16. Department, Communications (November 9, 2006). "CSHL Raises $2.5 Million at Inaugural Double Helix Medals Event & Launches $200 Million Capital Campaign". Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.