President Obama Honors Outstanding Science, Math, and Engineering Mentors

November 18, 2011

President Obama named The Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute at Arizona State University as the recipient of the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

Carlos Castillo-Chavez is the founder and executive director of the ASU institute, that he originally established while at Cornell University. According to an ASU press release, “Regents’ Professor Carlos Castillo-Chavez, a mathematical epidemiologist, [founded the institute] to increase the number of underrepresented U.S. populations in fields where mathematical, computational and modeling skills play a critical role.”

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring is awarded to individuals and organizations to recognize the crucial role mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of students, particularly those who belong to groups that are underrepresented in the science, math, and engineering fields.

“Through their commitment to education and innovation, these individuals and organizations are playing a crucial role in the development of our 21st century workforce,” President Obama said in a White House press release.  “Our Nation owes them a debt of gratitude for helping ensure that America remains the global leader in science and engineering for years to come.” 

Castillo-Chavez will receive his award from the President at a ceremony later this year.

Source: The White House; ASU press release