Mary-Claire King receives National Medal of Science

President Obama presented the National Medal of Science to Dr. Mary-Claire King on May 19, 2016, at a ceremony at the White House.

The National Medical of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are the nation's highest honors for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology. 

Dr. King is a world leader in cancer genetics and is recognized for her work in transforming the application of human genetics to medicine through identification of the first gene, BRCA1, responsible for inherited susceptibility to breast cancer. She also demonstrated that the genomes of humans and chimpanzees are 99% identical, and pioneered the application of genetic sequencing in forensics to identify victims of human rights abuse.

“Every single American should be grateful for Mary-Claire King’s path,” said President Obama.

She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Paul Ehrlich Prize, National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Award, and the prestigious Lasker award.