Awards

Ernest Moniz receives inaugural Carnegie Science award for public service

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The honor was created to recognize science educators, policymakers, philanthropists, and outreach-oriented research scientists who make exceptional contributions to the scientific enterprise through advancing the public’s understanding of science and its role in the betterment of humankind.
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Washington, DC—Former-Energy Secretary and nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz received Carnegie’s inaugural Richard A. Meserve Public Service award Thursday in recognition of his “exemplary leadership and accomplishment in furthering public understanding of science.”

Named after Carnegie's president emeritus, the honor was created to recognize science educators, policymakers, philanthropists, and outreach-oriented research scientists who make exceptional contributions to the scientific enterprise through advancing the public’s understanding of science and its role in the betterment of humankind.

“Ernest Moniz is more than just a fine physicist, he’s also a dedicated public servant, and an effective science communicator,” said Carnegie Trustee Rush Holt, who is the Chief Executive Officer of AAAS the and Executive Publisher of Science. “He’s what they call a triple threat, so he was the perfect choice to honor with this inaugural public service award.”

Moniz headed the Department of Energy from 2013 through January 2017, during which time he led the fight against climate change, advanced nuclear security, and promoted technological innovation. He previously served as DOE Under Secretary between 1997 and January 2001, and on MIT’s faculty between 1973 and 2013. Today, he is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chair of the Board of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Futures Initiative, as well as a Special Advisor to the MIT President.

Moniz received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Boston College and a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University.  He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Humboldt Foundation, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.