Please note our museum hours while we undergo renovations.
Museum HoursWed–Fri: 12:30pm–5pm | Sat: 10am–5pm

Join us for our annual celebration of exceptional achievements in chemistry, chemical engineering, life sciences, and allied fields and industries.

The evening will feature brief talks from our awardees, great conversation about science, and light refreshments, all for free!

We are proud to honor our 2025 award recipients:

Othmer Gold Medal
R. Graham Cooks
Henry Bohn Haas Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Purdue University

Richard J. Bolte Sr. Award for Supporting Industries
Lita Nelsen
Consultant, Advisor in Technology Transfer
Research Affiliate, MIT
Retired Director, MIT Technology Licensing Office

American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal
Timothy M. Swager
John D. MacArthur Professor of Chemistry, MIT

Agenda

  • 5:30pm | Doors Open
  • 6pm–7pm | Remarks and Awards Ceremony
  • 7pm–8pm | Reception

About the Science History Institute Awards

Othmer Gold Medal

Named after Donald Othmer (1904–1995), the Othmer Gold Medal is the Science History Institute’s preeminent award. Winners are chosen for their extraordinary contributions to the material sciences. The award is cosponsored by the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Chemists’ Club, and the American Section of the Société de Chimie Industrielle.

Richard J. Bolte Sr. Award for Supporting Industries

The Richard J. Bolte Sr. Award for Supporting Industries honors those who provide products or services vital to the continuing growth and development of the chemical and molecular sciences community. The award was created in 2006 and named after the award’s first winner, BDP International founder and chair Richard Bolte.

American Institute of Chemists (AIC) Gold Medal

The American Institute of Chemists (AIC) Gold Medal recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in chemistry or chemical engineering in the United States. First presented in 1926, previous winners include Nobel laureates Glenn T. Seaborg, K. Barry Sharpless, Herbert C. Brown, Elizabeth Blackburn, and Dudley Herschbach, as well as renowned researchers Chad A. Mirkin, Mary Lowe Good, Steven J. Lippard, Jacqueline Barton, and George M. Whitesides.


Bolte Family Foundation logo
Trinseo logo

Major funding for the Science History Institute Awards is provided by chief presenting sponsor the Bolte Family Foundation, with additional support from the American Chemical Society and Trinseo.

More events

mechanical teddy bear
May 2, 2025
First Fridays

First Friday: 80s Night

Get ready to travel back in time to the fabulous 1980s! Whether you rocked the Jazzercise leotard or spent hours trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube, we’ve got something for everyone.

color illustration of herbs
May 3, 2025
For Families

Stories of Science: May Flowers

Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!

group of women standing around a lab table with periodic table in background
May 3, 2025
Drop-In Tours

Women in Chemistry Tour

Drop in for a tour highlighting the central role of women in shaping chemistry and the material sciences throughout history.

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.