UC Berkeley, Stanford researchers receive top science and technology honors

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 19: (L-R) Dr. Stanley Falkow, from Stanford University School of Medicine, shakes hands with President Barack Obama after receiving the National Medal of Science, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, May 19, 2016, in Washington, DC. Established in 1959, the National Medal of Science recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation, created in 1980, recognizes those who have made contributions to America's competitiveness, quality of life, and helped strengthen the country's technological workforce. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Dr. Albert Bandura, Stanford University, Calif., after awarding him the National Medal of Science, Thursday, May 19, 2016, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By Katy Murphy | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: May 19, 2016 at 10:12 a.m. | UPDATED: September 22, 2016 at 2:03 a.m.

President Barack Obama on Thursday awarded four Bay Area researchers — two from UC Berkeley and two from Stanford — with the nation’s top honors for science and technology.

“It’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl or the NCAA tournament that deserves a celebration,” the president said at a White House ceremony. “We want the winners of science fairs, we want those who have invented the products and lifesaving medicines and are engineering our future to be celebrated as well.”

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation went to eight U.S. researchers, including Chenming Hu, a UC Berkeley professor emeritus of electrical engineering and computer sciences, for his contributions to microelectronics. His team developed the FinFET, a type of transistor used in modern computer processors.

Nine researchers were awarded the National Medal of Science, including:

Paul Alivisatos, a UC Berkeley chemist and past director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory who is known for his research on the production of nanocrystals and their use in solar energy applications. He was cited for his contributions to nanoscience.

Albert Bandura, a Stanford psychologist, for his work showing the powerful effects of self-efficacy on motivation and behavior change.

Stanley Falkow, a Stanford microbiologist who conducted pioneering research on the role of microbes in the spread of antibiotic resistance and disease.

Arthur Gossard, of UC Santa Barbara, also received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for his work with semiconductor device technology.

Obama paired the honors with a renewed pitch for encouraging young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. He announced a new advisory board to solicit suggestions from youngsters on how the government can support budding scientists and innovators.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Katy Murphy at Twitter.com/katymurphy.