Governor Mark R. Warner and Science Museum of Virginia Director, Dr. Walter R.T. Witschey, announced the state's Outstanding Scientists and Industrialists of 2003 in a special announcement on Feb. 11. The honorees were introduced to the General Assembly on Feb 18; and they will receive their awards at a banquet held at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond on April
"These recipients are at the cutting edge of their fields, from cancer cures to protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and from transportation safety to particle physics," says Governor Warner. "Their creativity, contributions, and dedication are aimed at making life -- in Virginia and beyond -- better for us all."
The Governor described Walecka as "one of the world's leaders in nuclear theory. His supporters say he is able to grasp his field in its totality, bring order to it, synthesize contributions of other experts and train the next generation. He has made fundamental contributions to understanding the structure of the nucleus from the general principles of quantum mechanics and special relativity. His work with electron beam analysis led to creation of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility, now called the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, where he has served as scientific director."
Walecka was formerly a professor of physics at Stanford University; and from 1986-92 he was the scientific director of CEBAF. He was a Senior Fellow at CEBAF and a Governor's Distinguished CEBAF professor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The physicist has authored several books and more than 130 publications in scientific journals.