Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

Columbus Scholars

The Christopher Columbus Foundation awards fellowships to outstanding individuals designated as "Columbus Scholars." These individuals impact the lives of others through innovation, creativity and risk taking. Below is an alphabetical listing of the Foundation's Columbus Scholars.

Anthony Atala, M.D.

Dr. Anthony Atala, Associate Professor of Surgery at Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, was awarded the 2000 $100,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for his research to create new organs in the laboratory. The new organs would be created for a specific patient with the patient's own cells.

William Berger, J.D.

William Berger, J.D. - Team Leader, National Self-Defense Institute, Be 'S.A.F.E.R' Program, and Chief of Police, North Miami Beach , FL. Awarded the 2003 $2,500 Homeland Security Award in the Information Sharing field. The Be 'S.A.F.E.R.' program (acronym for Strategic Actions For Emergency Response) is a unique, proven, community-based training tool that humanizes clinical Disaster/Emergency preparedness information. Be 'S.A.F.E.R.' works primarily with local law enforcement agencies to promote community policies for disaster prevention through being vigilant, informed, and communicating with law enforcement, and training officers to facilitate classes for citizens based on the needs of the community.

Vickie Boutiette

Mrs. Vickie Boutiette, a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader/Classroom teacher at Westside Elementary School in West Fargo, ND, is the recipient of the 2005 $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. After potentially career-ending radical cancer surgery in 1990, further reconstructive surgeries and enduring speech therapy to learn to talk without part of her jaw, Vickie returned to teaching in 1993 as a reading teacher with one-on-one or small groups of students where she fulfills her commitment to make a positive impact in her students' lives. With a desire to see improvement in elementary students' success in reading and writing and undaunted by her physical limitations, Vickie became a Reading Recovery Teacher/Leader. Vickie has instituted the Reading Recovery program, a one-on-one literacy education program for first grade students, not only in her school district but many other districts throughout North Dakota. As the only trained Teacher/Leader in her State, she provides training, support and professional development for elementary school teachers. Building on her successes with first graders, Vickie continues her literacy challenge by expanding her focus to include teaching the same techniques to teachers in other grades to foster success in reading and writing with their students.

Donna H. Branson, Ph.D.

Donna H. Branson, Ph.D. – Director of the Institute of Protective Apparel Research and Technology and Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University was presented the 2006 $25,000 Homeland Security Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and presented by AgustaWestland North America, one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturers. Dr. Branson co-led an industry-academic team of researchers from 2001-2004 to develop a prototype of portable cooling vests for first-responders to hazardous materials incidents. More recently, she headed up development of body armor systems to provide protection for soldiers' arms and legs against devastating injuries caused by shrapnel. The design challenge was to accommodate conflicting requirements including: providing ballistic protection for arms, legs and associated joints while maintaining full soldier mobility; and minimizing additional weight and heat stress, in a time-sensitive manner. More than 5,000 units of QuadGard®, an innovative limb armor system weighing 10 pounds, are now being used in Iraq.

Alan Bronstein

Alan Bronstein, Chemistry teacher at Central High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the Tenth Annual Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Paralyzed from the chest down due to an auto accident, Alan has overcome many challenges. Selling his business and choosing to relocate to Philadelphia after his rehabilitation, Alan then focused on a new career choice. He chose to return to teaching, which he had done briefly after college. Upon presentation of his Masters degree, he was surprised when his college gave him special recognition for “overcoming adversity.” Rather, Alan viewed it as “doing what had to be done and doing what makes life worth living” not “overcoming adversity.” Alan has the gift of making science come alive to his students and peers alike by incorporating real-life situations into his science classes, thus making the lessons both relevant and memorable. He loves to create “the look of wonder on the faces of fellow teachers and students – then I know I’m doing what science is supposed to do for people: amaze them and make them wonder; arouse their curiosity - the ‘wow’ factor!”

Judith Brown

In 1995 the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation chose Judith Brown as the first Columbus Scholar. Ms. Brown was a teacher intern and SciTEC program coordinator at the Columbus Center, a new national center for marine biotechnology research and education located in Baltimore, Maryland. The Columbus Center offered educational programs focusing on the marine environment that encourages science as a career path for young people, particularly minorities and women. Previously, Ms. Brown was an educator and pioneer in hands-on biology and biotechnology education in Montgomery County, Maryland.

During 1995-96, Ms. Brown was on a joint sabbatical at the Columbus Center and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation in Princeton, NJ, where she prepared national teaching standards for science teachers.

Paul Cammer, Ph.D.

Paul Cammer, Ph.D., Director, Neurobiology Research Laboratory Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) in Alexandria, VA, was awarded the 2008 $10,000 Life Sciences Educator Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Cammer was honored for his innovative and challenging teaching methods. In 2007, TJ, a science magnet school, was ranked as the nation’s number one high school by U.S. News and World Report.

Michael Cantor, Ph.D.

Michael B. Cantor, Ph.D. - President, WayPoint Research, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Awarded the 2003 $2,500 Homeland Security Award in the Border/Transportation Security field. Dr. Cantor has developed WayPoint, a four-minute, non-verbal test which assesses a person's ability to operate a man/machine system such as driving, pipeline control, piloting aircraft, filling drug prescriptions, law enforcement and baggage handling, among others.

Joseph Chaiken, Ph.D.

Joseph Chaiken, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY was awarded the 2005 $25,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the field of Science/Technology. He and his team have developed a painless, inexpensive, non-invasive procedure to test blood in fingertips. The novel procedure uses lasers to measure spectroscopic signals in blood while the blood is still in the capillaries. Abnormal levels of blood components, such as glucose, can now be detected without pricking a person’s finger. Among other things, this innovation will result in increased blood sugar testing by diabetics, a critical step in controlling diabetes without a fingerstick. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is a leading cause of death worldwide. In 2000, approximately 2.9 million people died of diabetes complications.

Chris Cherry

Chris Cherry – Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, was awarded the 2004 $5,000 Homeland Security Award, sponsored by Paul S. Polo, Sr., in the Emergency Response field. Currently, he is involved in the research and development of specialized explosive systems, explosive entry, shaped charge technology and advanced explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) disablement tools. Mr. Cherry has invented, designed and patented many EOD and Explosive tools, and has designed many advanced initiation and explosive breaching systems. Mr. Cherry provides advanced training for military personnel, as well as local, State and Federal bomb squads, and is the creator of Operation America.

James C. Cobey, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. James C. Cobey, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C., was a 2002 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award recipient in the Arts/Humanities/Humanitarian field. Dr. Cobey has been a lifelong champion of humanitarian causes and has put his professional medical expertise in orthopaedics to good use by helping thousands of children, patients, landmine and war victims worldwide. His research has resulted in bringing unheralded attention to the issue of landmines and helped galvanize support for a ban, which eventually led to the creation of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a group responsible for the 40-nation Mine Ban treaty calling for the destruction of stockpiled mines.

Pam Courtney

Pam Courtney, a full-time Physical Education (PE) teacher at Hubert H. Bancroft Elementary School in Sacramento, CA, was the recipient of the 2004 $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. She teaches students from grades 1-6, including those in the Special Education program. Miss Courtney, a former Junior Olympic athlete, earned her teaching credential in 1984. That same year, while in training for the 1988 Olympics bicycling team, she was severely injured in an automobile accident, losing the use of her legs. After a difficult and challenging recovery, she persevered and became a PE teacher, in spite of being confined to a wheelchair. To teach, reach and meet the needs of students with diverse abilities, Pam has developed a PE curriculum that makes it easy and fun for the children to learn anatomy, physiology, dance routines, nutrition, good sportsmanship, positive character development, and leadership skills.

Richard A. Craig, Ph.D.

Dr. Richard A. Craig, Staff Scientist at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, WA, was awarded the 2001 $100,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for the development of the Timed Neutron Detection (TND) of Land Mines. This device finds plastic and metal mines by locating the hydrogen atoms that make up the destructive war devices.

Aaron Diaz

Aaron Diaz – Staff Scientist, Nondestructive Characterization and Measurement Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, was awarded the 2004 $5,000 Homeland Security Award in the Border/Transportation Security field. His award-winning research has focused on ultrasonic nondestructive examination measurements, imaging and analysis. This work has resulted in the development of the Acoustic Inspection Device, a state-of-the-art technology used by U.S. and international Customs Officers at ports-of-entry, IRS Fuel Compliance Officers and other law enforcement officials for counterterrorism and drug interdiction activities. Mr. Diaz is routinely sought out by his peers and colleagues to consult on the most difficult non-destructive evaluation problems. His expertise has led to significant national and international recognition.

Photo of Amy Dunaway-Haney Amy Dunaway-Haney

Mrs. Amy Dunaway-Haney, a Spanish teacher at Kettering Fairmont High School, Kettering, Ohio was the recipient of the 2002 $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Amy was diagnosed at 8 years old with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative muscle disease. Confined to a wheelchair since her sophomore year in high school, Amy had to overcome the challenges of her disease and the discouragement of some professors to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher. Amy's desire is to broaden her students' perspectives and inspire them to appreciate and make the most of the opportunities they have. As a result, a number of former students have become teachers, occupational therapists, doctors and special education teachers.

Ronald Eaglin, Ph.D.

Ronald Eaglin, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Engineering Technology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL was awarded the 2005 $5,000 Homeland Security Award in the Information Sharing field for development of a law enforcement information sharing system called FINDER (Florida Integrated Network for Data Exchange and Retrieval). FINDER, a low-cost program designed to allow over 40 participating agencies to share critical data, has already directly resulted in more than 200 arrests in Central Florida.

Marek Elbaum, M.D.

Dr. Marek Elbaum, President of Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc. in Irvington, NY, was awarded the 1998 $100,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for the development of MelaFind™, an imaging system for the early detection of melanoma, one of the deadliest of skin cancers.

Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, was awarded the 2001 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the Humanitarian field. Since the 1970s, Dr. Fauci has pioneered the field of human immunoregulation by making a number of basic scientific observations that serve as the basis for current understanding of the regulation of the human immune response. Dr. Fauci has made seminal contributions to AIDS virus and HIV infection research. Additionally, Dr. Fauci is the current leading spokesman on the threat of anthrax and small pox in this country.

Robert A. Ferguson

Mr. Robert A. Ferguson, a teacher at Whitney Middle School, Tulsa, OK, was awarded the first $5,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award in May 2000. A recipient of a Purple Heart for injures sustained in Vietnam, Mr. Ferguson has braved trials that would have defeated lesser men. In addition to his injuries, he has battled and triumphed over Crohn's disease and diabetes to accomplish his goal of becoming a special education teacher for multi-handicapped students in grades 6-8.

Millard Fuller

Mr. Millard Fuller, Founder and President of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a worldwide Christian housing organization, was awarded the 2000 $100,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the Humanitarian field. HFHI volunteers have built homes together with more than 100,000 families in need in more than 1500 United States cities and 60 other countries.

Robert C. Gallo, M.D.

Dr. Robert C. Gallo is the Director of the Institute of Human Virology and Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. Dr. Gallo was awarded the 2000 $10,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the Science/Technology field for his universally recognized pioneering achievements in the field of human retrovirology.

Michael Graves

Mr. Michael Graves, Architect, President and Principal, Michael Graves & Associates in Princeton, NJ, was awarded the 2001 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the Art/Humanities field. Mr. Graves is a leading contemporary architect and has helped influence the transformation of architecture from abstract modernism toward more contextual and traditional themes since the 1980s.

Justin Grzyb

Justin Grzyb, a senior at Westchester Country Day School, High Point, NC, was awarded the 2009 $5,000 Life Sciences Chemistry Student Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since his freshman year in high school, Justin has spent his summers at The Johns Hopkins University. Working for two years under the supervision of Professor Tim Weihs, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Justin researched and learned about technology surrounding NanoFoil, a reactive thin film composed of alternating, nano-scaled layers of Nickel and Aluminum. He then successfully completed his own project—to find a way to create uniform, curved particles of NanoFoil, and then measure the reaction velocity of these particles inside a vacuum. His work was acknowledged in two different research papers, and he is the co-inventor on a provisional patent for creating microscopic particles of NanoFoil.

Beenu Gupta

Beenu Gupta, Biology teacher at The Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE, was awarded the 2009 $10,000 Life Sciences Educator Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Beenu’s classroom is dubbed the “Disneyland of Biology.” Students have been known to sing and dance as they dive into Molecular Biology. Mrs. Gupta said: “I have always been passionate about learning and teaching, so I decided to become a high school teacher, where I could provide a solid foundation for college-bound students. My goal has always been to make learning fun, and a life-long experience.” The Charter School of Wilmington is a college preparatory high school with a focus on mathematics and science and was ranked 41st in U.S. News and World Reports’ America's Best High Schools 2008.

Victor Hakopian

Victor Hakopian, a Special Education Teacher at Jean Parker Elementary School in San Francisco, CA, was awarded the 2003 $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Being disabled at a young age with a rare eye disease which left him legally blind, Victor had to overcome prejudice from his peers and society as well as family cultural beliefs. However, he learned that his destiny was in his own hands and he continually worked toward his goals. Victor promotes and expects excellence from his students as he inspires his students to have the confidence to take risks, and to know his classroom is a safe haven where they can do so.

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Matthew Hanson

Matthew Hanson, Ph.D./Team LSTAT, Vice President, Integrated Medical Systems, Inc., Signal Hill, CA was awarded the 2005 $5,000 Homeland Security Award in the Emergency Response field for development of a portable intensive care unit called LSTAT (Life Support for Trauma and Transport). Only five-inches thick, LSTAT makes it possible to provide hospital-grade care anywhere, including disaster sites, during evacuation and in emergency field hospitals, and is the first and only integrated patient platform approved by the FDA.

James C. Hughes

James C. Hughes, 11th grade teacher of United States History, Humanities 11 and Advanced Placement U.S. History at Farmingdale High School, Farmingdale, NY is the recipient of the 2006 $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Blind since the age of three from a hereditary form of glaucoma, Jim was fortunate to have a mentor during his formative years, his older brother, Joey, who also had the disease. Joey’s untimely death at the age of 23, when Jim was just 16, spurred a determination and drive in Jim to use the lessons Joey taught him--accept the challenges, keep fighting and never use his disability as an excuse. By living beyond his disability, Jim won the approval of his college student-teacher placement coordinator and completed his student teaching in a “regular” school environment. He subsequently was hired as a teacher in a public school. His love of history led to his choice of discipline; and his commitment to his students has broadened his impact on his school and community. Regardless of whether his students are ‘at risk’ or advanced placement, his goal of having an impact on young people has been more than realized. He gives his students hope for their future despite whatever challenges they might face, teaching that obstacles create opportunities for growth, perseverance and success. Jim’s special rapport with his students enables him to treat all students equally; he cannot judge them based on appearances. He makes his students so comfortable with his disability, that they sometimes forget that he is blind. They don’t see or treat Mr. Hughes differently because he is blind; they accept him for who he is.

Joany Jackman, Ph.D.

Dr. Joany Jackman, Senior Scientist, The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD. was awarded the 2003 $2,500 Homeland Security Award in the Emergency Response field. Dr. Jackman is developing methods to analyze breath for novel markers of infection. This technology uses proteins and lipids secreted by the host in response to pathogens in the lungs to detect signs of infection prior to the appearance of symptoms. This technology will allow rapid triage of individuals at the scene of a potential bioterrorist attack. It will allow emergency medical personnel to focus their resources on the most seriously ill individuals and permit rapid and early treatment. This technology, once fully developed, will reduce the impact of bioterrorism, by improving the outcome and treatment of exposed populations.

Stori Jensen

Stori Jensen, a senior at Brighton High School, Salt Lake City, UT, was awarded the 2008 $5,000 Life Sciences Biology Student Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Jensen was honored for her after school research conducted under the supervision of Dr. Andres V. Maricq in the neurobiology laboratory at the University of Utah. During her research, Stori isolated and identified pharmacological agents found in the venom of cone snails which modulate the function of the brain. Her research has led to a major discovery in brain function and the treatment of neurological disorders, which has been patented – with Stori as an equal partner in the patent.

James Jones, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID. Dr. Jones was awarded the 2008 $25,000 Homeland Security Award for the development of a long-range, nonintrusive nuclear materials detection technology called the Photonuclear Inspection and Threat Assessment System (PITAS). PITAS represents a breakthrough homeland security technology capable of detecting hidden nuclear materials at several hundred feet. This technology utilizes a high-energy linear electron accelerator to produce a controlled photon inspection beam. If nuclear materials are present, the inspection beam produces fission reactions within the nuclear material, resulting in the emission of prompt and delayed neutron and gamma-rays. These rays are analyzed by a series of detectors, which alert operators to the presence of illicit nuclear materials. The technology performs this process within minutes, while leaving no residual environmental impact.

Peter Kamel

Peter Kamel, junior at Centennial High School in Ellicott City, MD, was awarded the 2008 $5,000 Life Sciences Chemistry Student Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Kamel was honored for his after school research at the Johns Hopkins Hospital on a patent-pending artificial tissue material that changes color in response to an internal temperature influence. The change is a result of a cascade of chemical reactions that take place when the tissue is heated. Peter’s research findings are important, as doctors will be able to accurately profile tissue damage when treating cancer through a procedure known as heat ablation.

Frances S. Ligler, D.Phil., D.Sc.

Dr. Frances S. Ligler, USN Senior Scientist for Biosensors and Biomaterials, Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Washington, DC was awarded the 2003 $2,500 Homeland Security Award in the Biological, Radiological, Nuclear field. Dr. Ligler has pioneered the development of ultra-sensitive antibody-based detection systems for biological agents and other hazardous materials, and for the ability to develop a biological sensor from concept to commercial product. This work has had a profound impact on the development of biosensor-based detection of biological warfare agents over the past 17 years, leading to significant improvements in the nation's capability for early and accurate detection.

Daniel V. Lim, Ph.D.

Daniel V. Lim, Ph.D. - Professor of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Center for Biological Defense, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, was awarded the 2004 $5,000 Homeland Security Award in the Biological, Radiological, Nuclear field. Dr. Lim was selected for his work in developing a test capable of identifying the presence of anthrax, ricin and other bioterrorism hazards in food, water and blood. He works closely with companies, Federal and State agencies, the military and other universities on development and implementation of these rapid detection procedures. Dr. Lim is also associated with the USF Center for Biological Defense and is routinely invited to speak on the subjects of biodefense and biothreat agents at national conferences and workshops.

Maya Lin

Ms. Maya Lin, owner of the Maya Lin Studio in New York City, has won international acclaim for her site-specific art and architecture projects. Ms. Lin was awarded the 2000 $10,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the Arts/Humanities field. Ms. Lin's work, which has been praised as both serene and profoundly powerful, encompasses the dualities of art and architecture, as well as the artist's own Asian-American heritage.

Bruce E. Logan Ph.D.

Bruce E. Logan, Ph.D., Kappe Professor of Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA was awarded the 2005 $25,000 Frank Annunzio Award in the field of Alternative Energy Sources. Dr. Logan and his research group are pioneering completely new ways to make electricity based on recovering energy from waste. They have shown that it is possible to produce electricity from waste organic matter in water, with a device called a microbial fuel cell which uses only ordinary bacteria found in our natural environment as the catalyst for organic matter degradation. The team has demonstrated that it is possible to directly create electricity from biodegradable organic matter such as human or animal waste (using bacteria as the biocatalyst) and, simultaneously, help to improve water quality and protect human health.

Teresa E. Loving

Teresa E. Loving, Special Education Teacher and Founder of S.O.A.R. Academy in Spartanburg, South Carolina is the recipient of the Ninth Annual Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Through great determination and perseverance, Teresa overcame her own disadvantaged childhood and severe learning disability to achieve her dream of becoming a Special Education teacher. When funding cuts threatened early intervention services to local children with special needs, Teresa began a grassroots campaign to try to save these services. When community efforts to reinstate these much needed services failed, Teresa resigned her teaching position to fulfill her new dream of opening a school where children with special needs would be able to learn and thrive in a place tailored to their needs – a place where their individual education and therapy needs are met under one roof. Thus, the S.O.A.R. (Success, Opportunity, Achievement and Rewards) Academy was born, with the help of her friends, teachers, parents, nurses, therapists, and other community members to provide services to children with special needs in a three-county area in South Carolina.

William P. Magee, Jr. M.D.

Dr. William P. Magee Jr., CEO and Co-founder, Operation Smile, Inc., Norfolk, VA, was a $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award recipient in the Arts/Humanities/Humanitarian field in 2002. Dr. Magee's work with Operation Smile has provided reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States. Globally, Operation Smile has trained thousands of physicians and other health professionals who volunteer their time to perform advanced medical procedures in their own local hospitals, dramatically improving the quality of life for tens of thousands of children.

Douglas L. McMakin

Douglas L. McMakin, Staff Engineer in the Applied Physics Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, WA. Mr. McMakin was awarded the 2007 $25,000 Homeland Security Award for the development of the first-of-its-kind personnel security system that safely detects non-metallic and metallic objects, including explosives that might be worn by a suicide bomber. The system provides a safe, fast and effective alternative to metal detectors, X-ray machines and pat-down searches at security checkpoints. As Project Manager and Technical Lead at the Radar Imaging Laboratory, where he has worked since 1987, Mr. McMakin and his team developed and tested innovative real-time microwave and millimeter-wave holographic-imaging systems for airport personnel screening for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (now the TSA) and body-measurements for biometrics and clothing applications using various planar and cylindrical imaging techniques. Mr. McMakin was very active in the commercialization of these technologies with two licensed partners L-3/SafeView (www.safeviewinc.com) and Intellifit (www.intellifit.com).

Rosalyn Queen Alonso, Foundation Chair and James D. Otvos, Ph.D.

Dr. James D. Otvos, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of LipoMed, Raleigh, NC, was awarded the 1999 $100,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for the development of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) LipoProfile. An innovation in blood cholesterol testing, the LipoProfile distinguishes between high-risk and low-risk forms of cholesterol which could prevent heart disease.

Bryon Petersen, Ph.D.

Bryon Petersen, Ph.D., at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, was awarded the 2009 $25,000 Chairmen’s Distinguished Life Sciences Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Petersen is recognized worldwide as a foremost authority in hepatic stem cells and their role in liver pathobiology. He is currently conducting research in stem cell biology and how it relates to the patho-physiology of the liver. This research shows that bone marrow derived cells could become functioning hepatocytes, and several clinical trials have been attempted based upon his discovery. Additionally, Dr. Petersen is investigating the usefulness of gene/stem cell therapy in the treatment of certain inherited metabolic diseases of the liver—Crigler-Najjar Syndrome (C-NS) and Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD). Children with C-NS are unable to eliminate bilirubin from their bodies and, therefore, must undergo daily 12-hour exposure to special blue lights, just to survive. Without daily treatments, a child would suffer brain damage, muscle and nerve damage and death due to bilirubin toxicity. Children with GSD suffer in a different way, having to eat/drink a corn-starch meal every four hours to maintain their blood glucose levels. If they don’t, they become hypoglycemic and will fall into a coma and die. His studies combine two high-profile fields—stem cells and gene therapy—that will hopefully cure these children of their disease, not just treat them.

M. Ian Phillips, Ph.D.

Dr. M. Ian Phillips, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, was a 2002 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award recipient in the Science/Technology field. Dr. Phillips has applied his 30 years of medical research and teaching to the study of cardiovascular disease that affects millions of people. Most recently, Dr. Phillips has developed new ways of treating hypertension with gene therapy. His research team also developed a gene "switch" that "turns on" protective genes when a heart attack begins in response to oxygen deprivation. These "vigilant vectors" provide cardioprotective genes to reduce heart damage from repeated attacks. Dr. Phillips believes this technique could be applied to a host of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke and lung disease.

Ace Sarich

Ace Sarich - Vice President, VoxTec, a Division of Marine Acoustics, Inc. Annapolis, MD, was awarded the 2004 $5,000 Homeland Security Award in the Information Sharing field. VoxTec solely develops and manufactures the Phraselator®, a handheld, voice-actuated translation device being used worldwide by American soldiers and domestically in law enforcement and healthcare settings. The Phraselator® is capable of speaking thousands of phrases in nearly 60 languages. It is used to provide instructions, give directions or ask questions with easily conveyed responses. Mr. Sarich travels frequently to the Middle East where he trains soldiers in the field on the use of the Phraselator®.

Christine E. Schmidt, Ph.D

Christine E. Schmidt, Ph.D., Laurence E. McMakin Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, at the University of Texas at Austin was awarded the 2008 $25,000 Chairmen’s Distinguished Life Sciences Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Schmidt was honored for her research in neural cell and tissue engineering, a subfield within bioengineering. Dr. Schmidt has invented a chemical process to modify human nerve tissue so it may be utilized for patients with nerve damage. In particular, she works on engineering advanced biomaterials and therapeutic devices to stimulate damaged peripheral and spinal neurons to regenerate to promote healing of damaged nerve tissue due to traumatic injuries, cancer and other diseases.

Wendy R. Shugol

Ms. Wendy R. Shugol, a teacher at Falls Church High School, Falls Church, VA, was awarded the 2001 $5,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Ms. Shugol was injured in an automobile accident soon after completing college and before beginning her teaching career. The head injuries sustained in the accident subsequently resulted in a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Despite her condition, Wendy went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a special education teacher with an even deeper understanding and appreciation of what her own disabled students must encounter daily. She has earned the respect of her peers, students and their parents for having high expectations for her students and the willingness to provide the necessary support for them to achieve.

Timothy M. Swager Ph.D.

Timothy M. Swager, Ph.D., John D. MacArthur Professor and Department Head, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA was awarded the 2005 $5,000 Homeland Security Award in the Biological Radiological, Nuclear field for his research in the development of novel chemical and biological sensors representing a new paradigm in chemical sensors by demonstrating that molecular wires can amplify chemosensory events. These chemical sensors are now being tested by US Marines in Iraq to detect roadside bombs and by the US Air Force to screen cargo.

James A. Thomson, V.M.D., Ph.D., Diplomate A.C.V.P.

James A. Thomson, V.M.D., Ph.D., Diplomate A.C.V.P. - John D. McArthur Professor, Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin Medical School and The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI. Awarded the 2003 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award for his research in the field of embryonic stem (ES) cells to improve knowledge of basic reproductive biology, and to explore using ES-derived cells to treat health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, leukemia and degenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis.

Joanne B. Tindall

Joanne B. Tindall – Teaching principal at the W.F. Tallman School, Nashville Transition Center, for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Nashville, TN, is the recipient of the 2007 $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award. Doctors told Joanne’s parents that she would most likely be mentally retarded, would never walk or talk, and should possibly be institutionalized due to her premature birth and diagnosis of cerebral palsy at age two. Defying the doctors’ dire predictions, Joanne quickly learned to walk and talk and has worked hard to remain ambulatory. Far exceeding the school system’s expectations, she was quickly mainstreamed from self-contained special education classrooms into inclusion classrooms not only by graduating from high school as a National Honor Society student, but graduating as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Tennessee Technological University with a teaching degree in special education, followed by a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision. Building on the lessons learned through her own experiences as a disabled student, Joanne was determined to become a teacher and make a difference in her students’ lives. She has dedicated her career to working with students with all types of special needs. After teaching for a few years, she began working as a crisis hotline phone counselor on weekends at a mental health center. This soon led to teaching GED classes to adult clients in the alcohol drug treatment facility and then the lead teacher and principal position of the adolescent day-treatment program. This eventually led to her current position as a teaching principal in a State-operated juvenile justice facility, where many of her students have earned regular diplomas, GEDs, or special education diplomas in this very difficult teaching and learning environment.

Charles H. Townes, Ph.D.

Dr. Charles H. Townes, Professor in the Graduate School, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, was awarded the 1999 $100,000 Frank Annunzio Award for his research on the microwave spectra of molecules and the ultimate invention of the laser.

Jennifer West, Ph.D.

Jennifer West, Ph.D. - Isabel C. Cameron Professor of Bioengineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, was awarded the 2004 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award for her research in biomaterials and tissue engineering focusing on the synthesis, development and application of novel biofunctional materials and on the use of biomaterials and engineering approaches to study biological problems. One area of Dr. West's research involves tissue engineering aimed at creating new materials for small-diameter vascular grafts. A related area of Dr. West's research involves the use of bioengineering to combat restenosis, a complication that often arises after angioplasty, the balloon procedure used to open clogged arteries. She is developing polymer materials that can be coated on arteries after they are opened with the balloon. The polymers release nitric oxide, a chemical that helps arteries heal without the clotting and scar tissue formation associated with thrombosis.

John J. Wild, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. John J. Wild, Director, Medico-Technological Research Institute of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, MN, was awarded the 1998 $100,000 Frank Annunzio Award for being the pre-eminent pioneer of modern diagnostic medical ultrasound.

Kensall D. Wise, Ph.D.

Dr. Kensall D. Wise, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, was awarded the 1996 $100,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for his creation of "microprobes," tiny electronic devices implanted in the brain for stimulating and monitoring the activity of nerve cells.

Jonathan Woodward, Ph.D.

Dr. Jonathan Woodward, Senior Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, was awarded the 1997 $100,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for the development of an enzymatic method to produce hydrogen from abundant renewable sugar.

Ray Wu, Ph.D.

Dr. Ray Wu, Professor of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, was a 2002 $50,000 Frank Annunzio Award recipient in the Science/Technology field. Dr. Wu used a novel, location-specific primer-extension strategy that made his DNA sequence analysis possible. His strategy has been incorporated into subsequent generations of rapid procedures, including the use of automated instruments, which has led to the decoding of entire genomes of many living organisms. Information on these sequences is essential for improving health care and increasing food security in the next several decades. Based on Dr. Wu's keen knowledge of DNA, genes and rice biotechnology, he has developed techniques to produce drought- and salt-tolerant transgenic rice plants. The same genes and methods have the potential to dramatically increase production of all major cereal crops, which is crucial for third world countries.

Henry Zheng

Henry Zheng, a senior at Centennial High School in Ellicott City, MD, was awarded the 2009 $5,000 Life Sciences Biology Student Award. The award was sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Henry has been conducting research at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory since his sophomore year of high school. Under the supervision of Dr. Jeffery Lesho, Biomedical Engineering Group, Henry has worked on his computational neuroscience project that improves the performance of an arm prosthesis. He has received many awards and recognition for this research including the international 2008 FUSION conference in Köln, Germany and in 2009 from coast to coast—Seattle, Washington to Washington, D.C.