The International Foundation For Greece Honors NYU CUSP’s Dr. Aristides Patrinos With Greek Postage Stamp

The Interational Foundation for Greece (IFG) has announced that Dr. Aristides Patrinos, Deputy Director for Research at New York University’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), is one of this year’s recipients of the IFG Award, a tribute to those of Greek decent living beyond its borders with outstanding accomplishments in the areas of science, art, entrepreneurship, film and theater, media and philanthropy. To celebrate Dr. Patrinos’ accomplishments as this year’s science honoree, as well as the accomplishments of all the 2013 IFG Award recipients, the IFG, in conjunction with Greece’s Hellenic Post, has issued a commemorative collection of postage stamps bearing the likeness of each honoree.

“I am honored to receive this tribute from IFG, and humbled to be placed in a category with other Greeks whose achievements have made our country so incredibly proud,” said Dr. Aristides Patrinos. “My Greek roots are – and always will be – at the heart of everything that I do, and I will continue to strive to embody the Greek ideal as I advance in my career.”

The IFG Science Award, in particular, honors international scientists who have devoted themselves to the service of mankind and society and whose innovative research has become a bright example in the scientific world. The stamp collection will remain in circulation for one year and each honoree receives their personal stamp in gold.  All the recipients were honored at a ceremony on September 16, 2013 at the Acropolis Museum in the presence of political leaders, distinguished goodwill ambassadors, and the Greek and international media.

“The issuance of the stamp is a wonderful recognition of Dr. Patrinos’ achievements in advancing both environmental science and genomics, said Dr. Steven Koonin, Director of CUSP. “ We’re extremely fortunate that he’s now applying those same talents to CUSP’s study of Urban Science.”

Dr. Patrinos came to CUSP from Synthetic Genomics where he previously served as its President and Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs.  He directed research and business activities in biotechnology for renewable fuels and chemicals and led the government affairs office.  Previously, Dr. Patrinos spent almost two decades in senior leadership posts within the Department of Energy (DOE), most notably as the Director of the Office of Biological & Environmental Research.  In that role, Dr. Patrinos managed research programs in genomics, structural biology, nuclear medicine, environmental remediation and global environmental change.  He was also instrumental in launching the Department’s part of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, establishing the Human Genome Project and building DOE’s Joint Genome Institute.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Patrinos was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Sciences at the University of Rochester and also served as a research scientist at both Oak Ridge and Brookhaven National Laboratories.  He is the recipient of several prestigious honors and awards, including three Presidential Rank Awards, two U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Gold Medals, and the ComputerWorld Smithsonian Platinum Technology Award.  Dr. Patrinos earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Astronautical Science from Northwestern University.