2021 AJN Awards
Science Awareness Award
Communicating complex science topics in innovative, engaging ways
DR. VIN GUPTA, INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH METRICS AND EVALUATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
A Critical Care Pulmonologist and Affiliate Faculty, Dr. Gupta has been the Institute’s chief spokesperson during the pandemic. He became an authoritative and tireless presence on the evening news and has given more than 200 COVID-19 briefings.
![headshots-vin-gupta-014-web[1]](https://novim.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/headshots-vin-gupta-014-web1.jpg)
Dr. Vin Gupta
Science Discovery Award
Creating major disruptive scientific contributions


PATTERN COMPUTER INC. & MR. MARK ANDERSON, CEO
Pattern Computer, with its novel Pattern Discovery Engine, has made marked progress on major cancer detection diagnostics, among other contributions. The challenges being addressed by the Pattern team are in fields as diverse as drug discovery, biomedical research, materials science, aerospace manufacturing, veterinary medicine, air traffic operations, and finance.
Science and Society Award
Recognizing individuals making impacts in social media, film, books
DR. MARIAN CROAK, GOOGLE INC.
Dr. Croak, Vice President of Engineering at Google, invented the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology used to make phone calls in Skype, Google Phone, FaceTime, and more.

MR. ERIC S. YUAN & ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Yuan, CEO for the Zoom platform for video communications, oversaw the plan to help millions of schoolchildren learn remotely, providing free product to more than 125,000 K-12 schools in 25 countries.


Science Impact Award
Creating major impacts on people’s lives

DR. KATALIN KARIKO, BIONTECH
Dr. Karikó and Dr. Weissman played a key role in enabling the biggest vaccination campaign in history. Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines being administered to protect against COVID-19 license the fundamental mRNA patents for which the duo is responsible.

DR. DREW WEISSMAN, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dr. Karikó and Dr. Weissman played a key role in enabling the biggest vaccination campaign in history. Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines being administered to protect against COVID-19 license the fundamental mRNA patents for which the duo is responsible.
Science Inspiration Award
Recognizing unsung heroes who stimulate & inspire
DR. AMANDA RANDLES & DR. MAUTH BISHAWI, DUKE UNIVERSITY
The Duke University colleagues made fundamental contributions to engineering the first split ventilator prototype. With ventilators in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Randles and Dr. Bishawi created a ventilator splitter and resistor system (VSRS) which enables one ventilator to support two or more patients.


This year, for the first time, the AJN Awards Board is also issuing two Certificates of Commendation, for extraordinary efforts and impact on issues around the COVID-19 pandemic. The certificates are:
Science Stewardship Certificate of Commendation
BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION
For their prescient role in backing mRNA research for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, their early endorsement of pandemic responder training symposia for governments, and their strong support for the development and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines over the past twelve months.
Science Communication Certificate of Commendation
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, NIAID
As head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Fauci has provided forthright discussions and invaluable perspective for Americans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.