Distinguished Alumni

Martin Karplus
Chemistry, 2013
« For the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems. »

Alvin Roth
Economics, 2012
« For the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design. »

Jack Szostak
Physiology and medicine, 2009
« For pioneering work in the discovery of telomerase, an enzyme that protects chromosomes from degrading. »

Al Gore
Nobel Peace Prize, 2007
« For efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about manmade climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change. »

Eric S. Maskin, ’72, Ph.D. ’76
Economics, 2007
« For having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory. »

Thomas C. Schelling
Economics 2005
« For having enhanced our understanding of conflict and cooperation through game-theory analysis. »

Roy J. Glauber
Physics, 2005
« For his contribution to the quantum theory of optical coherence. »

Linda B. Buck
Physiology or Medicine, 2004
« For discoveries of “odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system. »

Riccardo Giacconi
Physics, 2002
« For pioneering contributions to astrophysics, which have led to the discovery of cosmic X-ray sources. »

A. Michael Spence, Ph.D. ’72
Economics, 2001
« For analyses of markets with asymmetric information. »

Amartya Sen
Economics, 1998
Research on welfare economics

Robert C. Merton
Economics, 1997
For a new method to determine the value of derivatives

Seamus Heaney
Literature, 1995
For poetic works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past

Elias J. Corey
Chemistry, 1990
Devised rules that allow scientists to make complex new molecules from ordinary chemicals

Joseph E. Murray
Medicine, 1990
Developed new procedures for organ transplants (with E. Donnall Thomas, formerly of the University of Washington)

Norman Ramsey
Physics, 1989
Research on separate oscillatory fields to make precise measurements of how various parts of atoms and molecules interact with each other

Dudley R. Herschbach
Chemistry, 1986
Developed techniques enabling scientists to see collisions taking place between pairs of molecules and detect the products of such collisions
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
Peace, 1985

Carlo Rubbia
Physics, 1984
Discovery and investigation of new subatomic particles and their properties

Nicolaas Bloembergen
Physics, 1981
Discovery of laser spectroscopy, whereby atoms can be studied with higher precision

Torsten Wiesel
Medicine 1981
Research on information-processing in the visual system (with David Hubel)

David Hubel
Medicine, 1981
Research on information-processing in the visual system (with Torsten Wiesel)

Walter Gilbert
Chemistry, 1980
Developed methods to work out the structure of DNA

Baruj Benacerraf
Medicine or Physiology, 1980
Discovered that disease-fighting ability is passed on genetically, although the immune-response gene varies from person to person

Steven Weinberg
Physics, 1979
Used mathematical hypotheses to explain electromagnetism and “weak” interactions (with Sheldon L. Glashow)

Sheldon L. Glashow
Physics, 1979
Used mathematical hypotheses to explain electromagnetism and “weak” interactions – two of the four basic forces in nature – according to the same laws (with Steven Weinberg)

John H. Van Vleck
Physics, 1977
Pioneered the application of quantum mechanics to the study of magnetism

William N. Lipscomb
Chemistry, 1976
Research on the structure of boranes, which has increased the understanding of chemical bonding

Wassily W. Leontief
Economics, 1973
Developed the input-output analysis used in forecasting and planning the economy

Kenneth J. Arrow
Economics, 1972
Contributed to the general economic equilibrium theory and welfare theory

Simon S. Kuznets
Economics, 1971
Developed the concept of using GNP as a measure of change in the nation’s economic growth

George Wald
Medicine or Physiology, 1967
Research on the biochemistry of vision

Robert Burns Woodward
Chemistry, 1965
Laboratory synthesis of complex molecules

Julian S. Schwinger
Physics 1965
Contributed to the study of quantum electrodynamics

Konrad E. Bloch
Medicine or Physiology, 1964
Studied the pattern of reactions involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids

James D. Watson
Medicine or Physiology, 1962
Described the structure of DNA

Georg von Bekesy
Medicine or Physiology, 1961
Demonstrated the physical principles involved in the mechanism of hearing

Thomas H. Weller
Medicine or Physiology, 1954
Application of tissue-culture methods to the study of viral diseases (with J.F. Enders and F.C. Robbins)

Frederick C. Robbins
Medicine or Physiology, 1954
Application of tissue-culture methods to the study of viral diseases (with J.F. Enders and T.H. Weller)

John F. Enders
Medicine or Physiology, 1954
Application of tissue-culture methods in developing a polio virus, the ingredient of the polio vaccine (with F.C. Robbins and T.H. Weller)

Fritz A. Lipmann
Medicine or Physiology, 1953
Identified “coenzyme A” and discovered basic principles in the understanding of proteins

Edward M. Purcell
Physics, 1952
Discovered the nuclear resonance method that measures magnetic fields in atomic nuclei

Ralph J. Bunche
Peace, 1950
Negotiated an armistice in the Middle East

Henry J. Cadbury
Peace, 1947
Chairman, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) of Philadelphia

Percy W. Bridgman
Physics, 1946
Investigations in changes that occur when various materials are subjected to extremely high pressure

William P. Murphy
Medicine or Physiology, 1934
Research on liver treatment of the anemias (with George Minot)

George Minot
Medicine or Physiology, 1934
Research on liver treatment of the anemias (with William P. Murphy)

T.W. Richards
Chemistry, 1914
Research on fixing the atomic weights of chemical elements