LCID Faculty Member Dr. Jason S. McLellan has been named the 2023 recipient for both the Welch Foundation’s Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research as well as the National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology. The two awards were given in recognition of McLellan’s work as a pioneer in structure-based vaccine design. His work has been instrumental in the development of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in addition to on-going research towards an effective RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine that has gone through a successful phase three trial.
The Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research was established by the Houston-based Welch Foundation to honor Norman Hackerman, its Scientific Advisory Board chair from 1982 to 2006. The award recognizes the accomplishments of chemical scientists in Texas who are early in their careers. It is designed to encourage scientists who are embarking on careers dedicated to increasing fundamental understanding of chemistry. Recipients of the Award are given $100,000, as well as a bronze sculpture.
The National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology is supported by Pfizer Inc. and recognizes a recent notable discovery by a young scientist (no older than 50) who is a citizen of the United States. The award is presented with a medal and a $25,000 prize. Over the past 50 years the NAS Award in Molecular Biology has recognized many outstanding young biologists and has been a precursor to numerous National Medals of Science and Lasker Awards, and fourteen Nobel Prizes.
For more information on McLellan and these two awards, please go to:
The Welch Foundation Announces 2023 Norman Hackerman Award Recipient
2023 NAS Award in Molecular Biology