Weitz Receives the Franklin Institute's Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science

Congratulations to Prof. David Weitz upon receipt of the Franklin Institute's Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, which recognizes contributions to fundamental or application-oriented science with broad impact and should clearly indicate the scientific significance—innovative, technical, and/or conceptual—and the societal/economic impact of the nominee’s work. The citaiton for Prof. Weitz reads "For transforming our fundamental understanding of squishy materials ranging from gels, polymers, colloids, and emulsions to living organisms. His innovations led to the development of microdevices for applications ranging from rapid disease screening and drug discovery to cosmetic products. A master educator, he has popularized science through the physics of cooking."

This year, the Institute is honoring nine scientists and engineers on its bicentennial anniversary. The winners will come to Philadelphia for four days of lectures and other events from April 15 to 18, ending with a ceremony at the science museum, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary.

The Franklin Institute is a science museum and the center of science education and research in Philadelphia, PA. It is named after the American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin and houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Founded in 1824, the Franklin Institute is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States.