"These scientists and industrialists represent Virginia's finest contributions this year to making life better for us all," Gov. Warner said in a statement (http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2004/Feb04/0220.htm). "Their expertise runs from nuclear physics to periodontics, from computational cell biology and drug design to robotic aircraft, from high-tech research and development to extraordinary community service. I'm proud of the honorees whose creativity and dedication are reflected in these awards."

Tyson earned a bachelor's degree with highest honors in chemistry from Wheaton College and his Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Chicago. After postdoctoral research experience at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in West Germany and the Institute for Biochemistry and Experimental Cancer Research at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, Tyson came to the Department of Biology at Virginia Tech in 1978. In 1996, he earned the designation University Distinguished Professor.

Tyson has been a visiting professor at the Mathematical Institute at Oxford University and in the mathematics department at the University of Utah. He has served as president of the Society for Mathematical Biology and as co-chief editor of the Journal of Theoretical Biology. He has earned numerous awards, including the Bellman Prize in Mathematical Biosciences, Virginia Tech's Alumni Award for Research Excellence, and an honorary doctoral degree from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

Tyson is a native of Abington, Pa.

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Contact: Sally Harris
slharris@vt.edu
540-231-6759
Virginia Tech
24-Feb-2004