Rotary Clubs’
Humanitarian STAR Awards
Celebrating Outstanding Humanitarian Achievements in Science, Technology, Aerospace and Robotics
Recognizing Greatness
Advances in technology are happening at a rapid pace. Scientists and researchers are developing new breakthroughs that are changing the way in which we live, what we know about the universe, and how our society overcomes obstacles, both personal and planetary.
Attend the Next Awards Event
We’re honoring incredible people at next year’s event. Get your ticket today.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
To be awarded at the Rotary Humanitarian STAR Awards banquet
EDWARD STONE, PhD
“Exceptional leader and inspirational figure in the field of space science.”
David Morrisroe Professor of Physics, California Institute of Technology. Past Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Project Scientist for NASA’s Voyager mission for the past 47 years and principal investigator on 9 missions and co-investigator on 5 additional missions. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of the International 2019 Shaw Prize in Astronomy.
Voyager established the foundation for our space program and space exploration. It took humanity on a voyage into interstellar space for the first time; holds the promise of communicating our world with the absolute unknown, and ignites the thrill of discovery… reaching for the stars!
HELIOS AWARD
To be awarded at the Rotary Humanitarian STAR Awards banquet
DR. JOHN S. MULCHAEY
Director and Crawford H. Greenewalt Chair at The Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science. Founded in 1904, The Observatories is world-renowned for its research on the evolution of the universe.
Mulchaey’s research focuses on a range of key astronomical issues, including dark matter and black holes. In 1993, he led the team that discovered large amounts of dark matter in the local universe, findings that received front-page coverage in The New York Times and a feature in Time magazine. In 2016, Mulchaey appeared in the press as part of the team that identified a mysterious fast radio burst for the first time. He is also a frequent consultant to NASA and the National Science Foundation.
In addition to his research, Mulchaey is actively involved in bringing the stars to the public and students throughout Los Angeles. He created the annual Carnegie Observatories Astronomy Lectures, and hosts astronomy nights at many schools and civic organizations. He secured funding for the creation of science rooms at three local elementary schools, and founded a program for gifted high school science students. In October 2019, he was featured in “Discovering the Universe,” an episode of Public Television series LOST LA.
