Energy Secretary to Present Award to Human Genome Project Leaders

9/9/2003

From: Jeff Sherwood of the Department of Energy, 202-586-5806

News Advisory:

On Wednesday, September 10, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham will present the department's highest honorary award to Francis Collins and Aristides Patrinos for their leadership of the government's Human Genome Project. Francis Collins is the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. Ari Patrinos heads the Office of Biological and Environmental Research at the Department of Energy's Office of Science.

The Human Genome Project was completed in April 2003, more than two years ahead of schedule. The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium was led in the U.S. by NHGRI and DOE.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2003

WHO:

-- Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy

-- Francis Collins, director, National Human Genome Research Institute

-- Aristides Patrinos, director, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, DOE Office of Science

-- Elias Zerhouni, director, National Institutes of Health

WHAT:

Awards ceremony

WHERE:

DOE headquarters Forrestal Building Auditorium

1000 Independence Ave., SW

WHEN:

10 a.m.