Representative Rush Holt Trustees Award 2009

Representative Rush Holt, Ph.D., a former physics professor who for nearly a decade served as Assistant Director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, spent much of his career on inventive and innovative activities and programs.

In Congress Holt is co-chair of the Research and Development Caucus, and sits on several Congressional caucuses including Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development, and Biomedical Research. His patent on a control mechanism for a solar pond energy device punctuates his desire to increase alternative and sustainable energy research to fulfill the energy needs of the United States.

Rep. Holt started and facilitates the Einstein Alley initiative which endeavors to attract and support innovative companies in central New Jersey. He has helped secure more than $700 million in new federal funding for science and technology research.

An issue in which Holt has also taken a lead is mathematics and science education. He served on the former Senator and astronaut John Glenn’s National Commission on Mathematics & Science Teaching for the 21st Century. Holt also helped establish the Mathematics & Science Scholars Program, which provides grants and loan forgiveness to students who commit to five consecutive years of service in a math or science field after graduation.

Among his numerous citations are the Biotech Legislator of theYear, and the Science Coalition’s Champion of Science” award. Scientific American has named Holt one of the 50 national visionaries of a brighter technological future.