Indian-American scientist, Dr Rakesh K Jain, will be presented with the prestigious National Medal of Science award by US President, Barack Obama on January 22

Updated on: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Adding another feather to India's cap, the Indian-American scientist, Dr Rakesh K Jain, will be presented with the prestigious National Medal of Science award by US President, Barack Obama on January 22. Apart from Dr. Jain, 17 other scientists, engineers, mathematicians and innovators will be awarded at the White House ceremony. This award is presented annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science, engineering, and mathematics.

Jain is an IIT-Kanpur alumnus, and is a professor of tumor biology at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Harvard Medical School. He is considered as a pioneer in the area of tumour micro-environment and is well known for his seminal discoveries in tumour biology, drug delivery, in vivo imaging, bioengineering, and bench-to-bedside translation.

He has served as a mentor to more than 200 master's, doctoral and postdoctoral students from various distinct disciplines and has received more than 75 awards from engineering and medical professional societies/institutions. He is also a member of all the three branches of the US National Academies namely, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2014, he was chosen as one of the 50 Oncology Luminaries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

According to newspaper reports, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation recognises those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen its technological workforce.

As per a White House announcement made last month, Obama said that Science and Technology are fundamental in solving some of our nation's biggest challenges. The knowledge produced by these Americans today will carry the country's legacy of innovation forward and continue to help countless others around the world.

Indian-American scientist, Dr Rakesh K Jain, will be presented with the prestigious National Medal of Science award by US President, Barack Obama on January 22

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