RFS Awards in Science Recognize Outstanding Contributions from Women and Minorities

RFS, in partnership with Mary Ann Liebert Inc., launched this prestigious annual award for the best paper by a woman or under-represented minority in science in each of the publisher’s 100 peer-reviewed journals with the goal of highlighting the important contributions of these scientists and providing role models and mentors for younger scientists following in their footsteps.

“The 21st century in its first two decades has brought an overwhelming productivity in science, engineering, and technology to our global society,” said Rita R. Colwell, PhD, President of the Rosalind Franklin Society, Director, National Science Foundation (1998–2004), Distinguished Professor, University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Chair and Founder, CosmosID. “What has been lacking, however, is the recognition of those who have contributed to these rapidly evolving human accomplishments—namely the underrecognized hence underappreciated scientists, engineers, physicians, and technical workers who are not white males, yet are making powerful discoveries and contributing to many interdisciplinary connections.”

The anthology will include a biography of each winner and an abstract of their selected work. A total of $100,000 has been allocated for these award winners. The book is a remarkable compendium of research in science, engineering, and medicine that has been accomplished by outstanding investigators who, early in their careers, were not considered “real” scientists, engineers, or medical researchers because they did not fit the stereotypical scientist, engineer, or physician role.

The RFS Awards in Science 2021 was produced with generous support from the Rita Allen Foundation, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and also Mitzi Perdue.

Anthology of the RFS Awards in Science