Alumni Hall of Fame

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 ARCS ALUMNI HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE, PAULA HAGEDORN DIEHR, PhD

  • Professor Emeritus of Biostatistics and Health Services at University of Washington School of Public Health
  • Pioneering biostatician who developed statistical methods and approaches for interpretation of large datasets
  • Developer of the Healthy Life Calculator to predict the number of productive years of remaining life based on lifestyle factors
  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Leader in the biostatician field that helped gain respect for the field of study

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Members of ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame

are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of science

SHANNON BROWNLEE, MS
Inducted in 2015
1982 ARCS Scholar at University of California, Santa Cruz

For scientific writing and advocacy that has improved public understanding of science and medicine and helped transform US health care

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Dr. David Dixon sitting at his desk at University of Alabama

DAVID A. DIXON PhD
Inducted in 2022
1968-71 ARCS California Institute of Technology

For work in computational chemistry and for leadership in developing alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons that have restored and saved the stratospheric ozone layers

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HEIDI B. HAMMEL, PhD
Inducted in 2023
1983-86 ARCS Scholar at University of Hawai’I at Monoa

For astronomy research and work at observatories, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope, and for her advocacy of advancing space science as Vice President of The Planetary Society

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Photo of Barbara Jacak

BARBARA JACAK, PhD
Inducted in 2015
1975 ARCS Scholar at University of California, Berkeley

For significant contributions to our understanding of how the universe evolved and role in the development of the PHENIX large collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory

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RALPH B. JAMES, PhD
Inducted in 2015
1979-80 ARCS Scholar at California Institute of Technology

For substantial impact as an inventor and transformative research in photoconductive science that has led to improvements in astrophysics and medical imaging

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STEPHEN M. LICHTEN, PhD
Inducted in 2016 
1981-83 ARCS Scholar at California Institute of Technology

For leadership at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and contributions to the invention of GPS technology that ensures reliability and accuracy of commercial aircraft navigation

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DAVID MANGELSDORF, PhD
Inducted in 2015
1985 ARCS Scholar at University of Arizona

For groundbreaking research on orphan receptors that helped launch an entire field of biology and led to important breakthroughs in treatments for human diseases

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PETER J. MCDONNELL, MD
Inducted in 2019
1981-82 ARCS Scholar at Johns Hopkins University 

For inventions and medical advances in Ophthalmology that have improved sight for patients worldwide

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JESSICA MEIR, PhD
Inducted in 2020 
2007-09 ARCS Scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

For research on the International Space Station and her historical all-female spacewalk that inspires women to pursue STEM careers

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F. PETER SCHLOERB, PhD
Inducted in 2021
1976-77 ARCS Scholar at California Institute of Technology

For leadership and vision in the development of the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano, which played a significant role in capturing the first image of a black hole, confirming Einstein's theory of general relativity

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SUNEEL I. SHEIKH, PhD
Inducted in 2017 
2002-04 ARCS Scholar at University of Maryland

For aerospace research and inventions, including one that is used on the International Space Station, and for educational initiatives that inspire future scientists

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CHRISTOPHER STUBBS, PhD
Inducted in 2017
1987-88 ARCS Scholar at University of Washington

For profound impact on physics through detecting the expansion of the universe (whereby his two colleagues, Brian Schmidt and Adam Reiss, received the 2011 Nobel Prize), his subsequent discovery of “dark energy,” and his role as a US government advisor on national security technology. 

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NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON, PhD
Inducted in 2018
1991-92 ARCS Scholar at Columbia University

For significant contributions in communications that have raised scientific awareness for millions

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JEANNE VANBRIESEN, PhD, PE
Inducted in 2016
1992-97 ARCS Scholar at Northwestern University

For influence on water quality, sustainability, and engineering practices through research; contributions to water policy; and for mentoring the next generation of engineers

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​Membership Criteria

Members of ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame are former ARCS Scholars whose distinguished career demonstrates leadership in most of the following areas:   

  • Scientific innovation and discovery
  • Recognition by peers
  • Mentoring future scientists to fill the STEM pipeline as well as the future leadership needed in science, engineering, medical research, and technology.
  • Founding or leading an organization that has had a significant impact on the US economy or how their research has directly impacted a sector of the economy.
  • Increasing awareness of the importance of national scientific competitiveness.

Selection Process

One or more Hall of Fame inductees are selected annually by a diverse panel appointed by ARCS Foundation National President.

How to Nominate

  • Nominations for membership in ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame may be made by ARCS chapters, individual ARCS members, ARCS advisors, faculty at ARCS Academic Partner institutions, ARCS Scholars, and ARCS Alumni.
  • Nominations must be received by November 1, 2023 and sent to HallofFame@ARCSFoundation.org. Please include ARCS Hall of Fame Nomination in the subject line of your message. 
  • Nominations should include a statement of why the nominee is eligible and should address the nominee's scientific contributions to the above criteria for membership. Links to online background information about the nominee may be included if appropriate. 
  • To download the ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame Nomination Template in Word format, click the link belowA length of two pages is recommended, as well as a headshot if available.  

Read about Members of ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame in ARCS 2022 Annual Report.