On May 19, 2016, President Barack Obama presented Mary-Claire King, Ph.D., a University of Washington professor of medicine (medical genetics) and genome sciences, the National Medal of Science at the White House. The award, the nation’s highest recognition for scientific achievement, honors King’s more than 40 years dedicated to research in evolution and the genetics of human disease, as well as to teaching and outreach endeavors that have supported human rights efforts on six continents and reunited families.

King was among a total of nine recipients this year for the National Medal of Science, which was first awarded by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Laureates, chosen by a committee from the National Science Foundation, include scientists in the physical, life and behavioral sciences.

Dr. King received the award ‘For pioneering contributions to human genetics, including discovery of the BRCA1 susceptibility gene for breast cancer; and for development of genetic methods to match “disappeared” victims of human rights abuses with their families. Dr. King is a world leader in cancer genetics and in the application of genetics to resolution of human rights abuses.