In a ceremony in Madrid, Spain, Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland received a Gold Medal from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the highest distinction granted by the organization. Presenting the award were the acting minister of science and innovation, Diana Morant, and the president of the CSIC, Eloisa del Pino. Strickland was nominated and won this prestigious award, “for her discoveries in the field of optics, both from the conceptual and applied point of view.” Many letters of recommendation from scientists all over Spain accompanied her nomination, according to the CSIC. 

Donna Strickland gives lecture during the CISC Gold Medal Award ceremony.

After the award presentation, Donna gave an engaging lecture entitled Generating high-intensity, ultrashort optical pulses. She drew in the audience of scientists and non-scientists by explaining her research in a way that was enjoyable and educational for everyone in the room.  

Earlier in the day, Strickland also met with the acting president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez and acting minister of science and innovation, Diana Morant. The trio discussed how Strickland’s research and notoriety has been a great inspiration to women and girls in Spain interested in STEAM. 

Congratulations to Donna Strickland for this noteworthy award win.