Sylvester James Gates, Jr. has a number of “firsts” to his name. His doctoral dissertation at M.I.T. was the first ever at that university on supersymmetry. In 1994, he became the first recipient of the American Physical Society’s Edward A. Bouchet Award, given to a minority physicist who has made significant contributions to his field.
And when in 1998 he was named the first John S. Toll Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, he became the first African-American to hold an endowed chair in physics at a major U.S. research university.
Professor Gates is a leader in the field of supersymmetry, a theory that relates the spins of elementary particles and predicts the existence of many new particles waiting to be discovered. Supersymmetry is an element of string theory, a relatively new development within theoretical physics that proposes the tiniest bits of matter are neither particles nor points, but strings that connect everything like a boundless, invisible 11-dimensional web.
(GreenLadyHere will gladly answer any questions you might have about supersymmetry and string theory. lol)
Gates also is widely known for his work popularizing science, promoting the importance of research and science education and enlightening young people on the fun, wonder and opportunities of careers in science and engineering. In 2007, the American Association for the Advancement of Science honored Gates with its Public Understanding of Science and Technology Award.
Professor Gates is a member of President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and also has served as a consultant for multiple U.S. government agencies (National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Defense), corporations (Educational Testing Service, Time-Life Books) and speaks nationally and internationally to diverse audiences.
On January 28, 2013, President Obama named Professor Gates as one of this year’s recipients of the National Medal of Science. The National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are the highest honors bestowed by the United States Government upon scientists, engineers, and inventors.