President Barack Obama has awarded RangaswamySrinivasan, an Indian-American co-inventor of LASIK eye surgery, with anational medal for science, technology and innovation along with 22 otherresearchers and inventors.
Srinivasan, 82, an inventor at IBM Thomas J. Watson ResearchCentre, received the 2011 National Medal of Technology and innovation withSamuel Blumand James Wynne.
They were awarded for "the pioneering discovery ofexcimer laser ablative photodecomposition of human and animal tissue, layingthe foundation for PRK and LASIK, laser refractive surgical techniques thathave revolutionized vision enhancement," according to the White Housecitation.
Lauding the recipients for their hard work and contributionsat a White House ceremony Friday, Obama joked that they represented "thegreatest collection of brainpower we've had under this roof in a longtime."
The medals represent the highest honours the US governmentcan give to scientists, engineers, and inventors.
Speaking in the East Room of the White House, Obama flankedby Dr. Subra Suresh, Indian-American head of the National Science Foundation,thanked the recipients for "the sacrifices they've made, the chancesthey've taken, [and] the gallons of coffee they've consumed."
The president also used the opportunity to make a pitch forincreased focus on science and technology education, as well as immigrationreform.
"In a global economy, where the best jobs followtalent, whether in Calcutta or Cleveland, we need to do everything we can toencourage that same kind of passion" that has led to scientificbreakthroughs and innovation, he said.