The National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Award was developed in 2001 with a mission to recognize outstanding national Hispanic scientists who promote a greater public understanding of science and motivate an interest in science among today's youth. Proceeds from the award celebration help fund MOSI's YES! Team, a career and educational enrichment program for at-risk youth.

This year MOSI honors Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, as the 2012 National Hispanic Scientist of the Year. Learn more about the 2012 honoree.

How We Choose

National Hispanic Scientist of the Year honorees are chosen by a selection committee. The committee reviews each nomination, then selects the candidate that best represents the mission of the award, which is to recognize an outstanding Hispanic scientist who promotes a greater public understanding of science and encourage Hispanic youths' interest in science.

Nominations can be submitted by committee members, MOSI Board members, community leaders, as well as local scientists and/or medical professionals. The recommendations are then submitted to the committee chair and MOSI's President, Wit Ostrenko, for review, upon which time the entire committee holds a final vote. Since the award is an "honor," there is no competitive process and no entry application required.