Double Helix Medal Explained

Double Helix Medal
Awarded For:	Individuals who have positively impacted human health by raising awareness and funds for biomedical research
Presenter:	Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Country:	United States
Year:	2006

The Double Helix Medal has been awarded annually since 2006 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) to individuals who have positively impacted human health by raising awareness and funds for biomedical research. At the inaugural dinner, Muhammad Ali received the first Double Helix Medal for his fight against Parkinson's disease. Other notable recipients include founders of Autism Speaks Suzanne and Bob Wright; former Paramount Pictures head Sherry Lansing who produced the Stand Up to Cancer telethon; Evelyn Lauder who founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Hank Greenberg of the Starr Foundation, which is one of the largest supporters of scientific research; Marilyn and Jim Simons, the world's largest individual supporters of autism research; David H. Koch who has donated over $300 million to biomedical research; and prominent scientists and Nobel laureates.

The Double Helix Medal is named for the iconic structure of the DNA molecule, discovered by James D. Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin. The study of DNA is central to biological research, and is at the heart of work at CSHL.

The annual New York City gala at which the medals are awarded was sparked by philanthropist Cathy Cyphers Soref, an Honorary Director of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association.

Medal recipients

2022:

• Albert Bourla, Ph.D.
• Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D.

2021:^[1]

• Reggie Jackson
• Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D.
• George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D.

2020:^[2]

2019:^[3]

• Boomer Esiason
• Nancy Wexler, Ph.D.

2018:^[4] /

• Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg
• Larry Norton, M.D.

2017:^[5]

• Tom Brokaw
• Helen & Charles Dolan

2016:^[6]

• Alan Alda
• P. Roy Vagelos

2015:^[7]

• David Botstein
• Katie Couric
• Anne Wojcicki

2014:^[8]

• Andrew Solomon
• Matthew Meselson
• Marlo Thomas

November 4, 2013:^[9]

• Peter Neufeld
• Robin Roberts
• Barry C. Scheck

November 28, 2012:^[10]

• Michael J. Fox
• Arthur D. Levinson
• Mary D. Lindsay

November 15, 2011:^[11]

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Temple Grandin
• Harold E. Varmus

November 9, 2010:^[12]

• Mary-Claire King
• Evelyn Lauder
• John F. Nash, Jr.

November 10, 2009:^[13]

• Herbert W. Boyer
• Stanley N. Cohen
• Kathryn W. Davis
• Maurice Greenberg

November 6, 2008:^[14]

• Sherry Lansing
• Marilyn and James Simons
• James D. Watson
• J. Craig Venter

November 8, 2007:^[15]

• David Koch
• Michael Wigler
• Richard Axel

November 9, 2006:^[16]

• Muhammad Ali
• Suzanne Wright
• Bob Wright
• Phillip Sharp

External links

• Double Helix Medal home
• Double Helix Medal history
• 2010 Double Helix Medal dinner at New York Social Diary
• 2007 Double Helix Medal dinner at New York Social Diary
• 2006 Double Helix Medal dinner at New York Social Diary
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 2008 Double Helix Medals Dinner, New York | People & Parties With Panache
• Double Helix Medals Dinner
• CSHL Moving Forward with New Faculty Hires Despite Weak Economy
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Double Helix Medal Dinner

Notes and References

1. Web site: 16th annual Double Helix Medals dinner raises $5M. Jasmine. Lee. November 18, 2021. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
2. Web site: 15th annual Double Helix Medals goes virtual. Sara. Roncero-Menendez. November 25, 2020. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
3. Web site: 14th annual Double Helix Medals dinner raises over $4 million. Sara. Roncero-Menendez. November 7, 2019. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
4. Web site: 13th Double Helix Medals dinner raises over $4 million. Sara. Roncero-Menendez. November 8, 2018. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
5. Web site: 12th Double Helix Medals dinner raises $4.5 million for research & education at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Sara. Roncero-Menendez. November 16, 2017. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
6. Web site: 11th Double Helix Medals raises $4.3 million for biomedical research and education at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Communications. Department. December 2, 2016. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
7. Web site: 10th Double Helix Medals Dinner raises record $4.5 million for biomedical research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Communications. Department. November 10, 2015. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
8. Web site: Double Helix gala raises record $4 million for biomedical research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Communications. Department. November 13, 2014. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
9. Web site: Robin Roberts, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld honored at 8th annual Double Helix Medals Dinner. Communications. Department. November 5, 2013. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
10. Web site: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory honors innovation and inspiration at 7th Double Helix gala. Communications. Department. November 30, 2012. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
11. Web site: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory honors stars of science and sports at sixth annual gala. Communications. Department. November 16, 2011. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
12. Web site: More than $3 million raised at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory gala. Communications. Department. November 11, 2010. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
13. Web site: $2.8 million raised at 2009 Double Helix Medals dinner. Dagnia. Zeidlickis. November 12, 2009. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
14. Web site: $3.6 Million raised at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s 2008 Double Helix Medals Dinner. Communications. Department. November 11, 2008. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
15. Web site: $3.1 Million Raised at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s 2007 Double Helix Medals Dinner. Communications. Department. November 21, 2007. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
16. Web site: CSHL Raises $2.5 Million at Inaugural Double Helix Medals Event & Launches $200 Million Capital Campaign. Communications. Department. November 9, 2006. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.