Distinguished Awards

Distinguished Awards celebrate those who live the SACNAS mission year-round through their unparalleled dedication to excellence in science, research, mentoring, and teaching. Awardees are nominated by community members, and SACNAS awards one Distinguished Scientist and one Distinguished Mentor for recognition at the National Conference in October.

Nominations for 2022 have been extended through July 31st, 11:59 PM PST .

Continue below to learn more about these awards:

SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award

Nominee holds a PhD or other doctoral degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) research field, has a minimum of ten years of experience as a principal investigator, and is 45 years of age or older. Must be engaged in research and educational activities at the national level including, but not limited to active funded research projects or funded STEM-based education initiatives. The Distinguished Scientist will be recognized during the 2022 National Diversity in STEM Conference in Puerto Rico.

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2021 SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award
Maria C. Tamargo, PhD
Professor, The City College of New York-CUNY

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2021 SACNAS Distinguished Mentor Award
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, PhD
Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of California, Santa Cruz

SACNAS Distinguished Mentor Award

The Distinguished Mentor is selected from among the top candidates submitted in all the outstanding mentor categories listed below. The Distinguished Mentor will be recognized during the 2022 National Diversity in STEM Conference in Puerto Rico. Outstanding Mentors will receive digital and multimedia (web, email, social media) recognition by SACNAS. Nominees have a sustained record of at least ten years of participating in educational and/or community outreach activities.

Find Inspiration

Past Awardees

Honoring the highest levels of excellence in mentoring and research science.

Award Speeches

Watch Our Distinguished Award Speeches

"This recognition is most significant of my career because it originates from my students and only they can say whether I was their mentor or not."

Professor Elba Serr, 2015 Distinguished Awardee