President's National Medal of Science to physician-scientist Nancy Andreasen

Nancy Andreasen

Congress established the National Medal of Science in 1959 as a Presidential Award for individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980, Congress expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences. Twelve medals are awarded each year.

University of Iowa President Mary Sue Coleman nominated Andreasen for the medal.

"This is one of the highest honors any physician-scientist can achieve," Coleman says. "Not only is this a momentous achievement for Dr. Andreasen personally, but it is also a great honor for The University of Iowa. It certainly reinforces our belief that we have a faculty that is of the highest caliber."

Since its establishment, the National Medal of Science has been awarded to 374 scientists and engineers whose careers spanned decades of research and development.

Andreasen has made contributions to research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of schizophrenia. She is known internationally for her neuroimaging research, which involves the use of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. In 1997 she created a new model of schizophrenia based on neuroimaging data.

Her current research includes three-dimensional image analysis techniques to integrate multimodality imaging and to develop innovative automated methods for analyzing structural and functional imaging techniques. These techniques allow researchers to better pinpoint and measure the clinical signs of schizophrenia.

Andreasen has served as chair of the International Advisory Board for the Nobel Symposium on Schizophrenia and is editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Psychiatry. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

Andreasen’s past honors include the Research Scientist Award from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Adolf Meyer Award, the American Psychiatric Association Prize for Research, and many others.

This is only the second time that a member of the University of Iowa faculty has achieved this distinction. James A. Van Allen, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy received the National Medal of Science from President Ronald Reagan in 1987. Van Allen received the award for his central role in the exploration of outer space, including the discoveries of the magnetospheres of Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn. The Van Allen belts of radiation bear his name.

Article by Tom Moore