The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) has given the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists to George Malliaras, Cornell associate professor of materials science and engineering, and director of the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility.

The prize, which included $25,000 to each winner, went to five scientists born on or after Jan. 1, 1965, who are "noteworthy and innovative researchers" from the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to the NYAS. The awards honored accomplishments in the life, physical and social sciences as well as engineering, in both basic and applied research.

The winners were chosen from 14 finalists who represented a broad range of scientific disciplines and eight research institutions. They were selected by a panel of 43 judges who represented more than 25 academic and research institutions. Among this year's finalists were two other Cornell researchers: Antje Baeumner, associate professor of biological engineering; and Geoffrey Coates, the Betty R. Miller Professor of Chemistry. A Cornell alumna, Kathryn Uhrich, Ph.D. '92, professor of chemistry at Rutgers University, was also a finalist.

In addition to the Blavatnik Awards, the academy also honored Sanford I. Weill '55, a major Cornell benefactor, with the NYAS Economic Development for Science Award. The former chairman and CEO of Citigroup, Weill was called an "ardent supporter of scientific advancement through his generosity to Weill Cornell Medical College."