Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award was established in 2013 by TAMEST to recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in furthering TAMEST’s mission to bring together the state’s brightest minds to foster collaboration and advance research, innovation and business in Texas. Named in honor of TAMEST’s Honorary Chair, Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison received the inaugural award for her vision and commitment to advancing scientific research, technology innovation and educational achievement.

Recipients

Lyda Hill and Lyda Hill Philanthropies

For empowering and enabling groundbreaking research in science and nature that profoundly impacts society, TAMEST recognizes Lyda Hill and Lyda Hill Philanthropies with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award.

“TAMEST is proud to present Lyda Hill and Lyda Hill Philanthropies with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award for their long-standing support of innovation and research in Texas,” said TAMEST Board President Brendan Lee, M.D., Ph.D. (NAM), Baylor College of Medicine. “We share their conviction that ‘Science is the Answer’ to the great challenges and questions of our time, and Lyda Hill and her team are incredibly deserving recipients of this honor and recognition.”

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Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)

For their work improving the lives of Texans, advancing cancer research and prevention, and recruiting National Academy members to Texas, TAMEST recognizes the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award.

“TAMEST is proud to present CPRIT with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award for its distinctive vision and dedication supporting cancer researchers and innovators in Texas,” said TAMEST Board President Brendan Lee, M.D., Ph.D. (NAM), Baylor College of Medicine. “No other state has this kind of funding program that creates high quality jobs, recruits top tier scientific and medical talent, supports critical technology infrastructure, and enables transformative research and prevention programs to help thousands of cancer patients extend their lives.”

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John L. Junkins

For his work at the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University​ in attracting and nurturing top-tier research talent in Texas, TAMEST recognizes John L. Junkins, Ph.D. with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award in 2022.

“TAMEST is proud to present Dr. Junkins with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award for his unique vision and dedication to bringing more researchers and innovators to Texas,” said TAMEST Board President David E. Daniel, Ph.D. (NAE). “Since 2010, more than 90 top-tier researchers have come to Texas for the Hagler Institute Fellows program, and thanks to Dr. Junkins, many have stayed here and joined TAMEST after the fellowship has concluded.”

The University of Texas at Austin Office of the President

Through three university presidents (Larry R. Faulkner, William C. Powers Jr. and Gregory L. Fenves), the Office of the President has been a crucial partner and financial supporter of TAMEST. Their ongoing membership contributions, conference sponsorships and in-kind donations of office space, infrastructure and support has enabled TAMEST to grow and expand its reach, strengthening the research community across the state.

“We are proud to recognize the Office of the President at UT Austin with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award for their continued support of and partnership with TAMEST,” said Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH (NAM), TAMEST Board President. “TAMEST is honored to recognize this office for their vast and continued contributions to our organization.”

Exxon Mobil Corporation

“Under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil has been an active and consistent partner to our organization by sponsoring TAMEST events and initiatives. XTO President Sara Ortwein has also been a constant champion of TAMEST and rising star researchers in Texas, and ExxonMobil has been a leader furthering STEM education in Texas and across the nation. We’re honored to recognize ExxonMobil for their contributions to TAMEST and the research community in Texas.”

Larry Faulkner and Kenneth Jastrow

Peter O’Donnell Jr.

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison