Mildred Dresselhaus will receive the Karl T. Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics from the American Institute of Physics at next month’s American Physical Society meeting in Seattle.
Dresselhaus, director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy, is being honored for her “outstanding contributions to condensed matter physics, and to the science and engineering community through dedicated and effective service in numerous leadership positions.” Active in human rights issues and as an advocate for improving both the funding and intellectual environment for science, Dresselhaus has “distinguished herself by her energy, enthusiasm, and skill in each role that she has undertaken.” She is also being cited for her “tireless and ongoing efforts” to improve the climate for women in physics and engineering.
