Governor's science/tech medals awarded

Eleven individuals and one company recently received 2016 Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology.

The awards were presented by Gov. Gary Hebert, the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative and the Governor’s Office for Economic Development (GOED). The program is in its 30th year.

“The medal recipients are true leaders in innovation, serving as educators, mentors and influencers statewide,” Herbert said. “Innovation drives Utah’s thriving economy and unmatched quality of life. I commend the winners for excellence in their fields and for their important work, which will benefit Utah residents for generations.”

Since 1987, the Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology have been awarded to residents and companies who have provided distinguished service or made significant contributions to Utah’s advanced scientific and technological knowledge, education and industry. Nominations are reviewed by an advisory panel before formally presenting winners to the governor.

Award categories and recipients are:

• Industry (Individual): Lawrence Thatcher, chief executive officer, Thatcher Group.

• Industry (Company): ENVE Composites, Ogden.

• Academic/Research: Cynthia Burrows, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry, University of Utah; Cynthia Furse, associate vice president for research, UofU; Timothy McLain, professor of mechanical engineering, Brigham Young University; Terry Messmer, professor and extension wildlife specialist, Utah State University, and director of the Utah Community-Based Conservation Program; John Morrey, research professor and director of the Institute for Antiviral Research, USU; and Kyle Rollins, professor of civil engineering, BYU.

• Higher Education: Adam Beehler, lecture demonstration specialist for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah.

• K-12 Education: Debra Spielmaker, professor, Utah State University, and project director of the USDA-National Agriculture in the Classroom Program and team leader of the National Center for Agricultural Literacy.

• Government Individual: Robert Baskin, supervisory hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Utah Water Science Center.

• Special Recognition: Dr. Vivian Lee, senior vice president for health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, University of Utah, and chief executive officer of University of Utah Health Care.