Professor Wendy Freedman, one of the world’s leading cosmologists, received the award National Science Medalthe highest scientific distinction in the country.
Freedman, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at John and Marion Sullivan University, was recognized for her pioneering contributions to cosmology, including measuring the expansion and evolution of the universe. She was honored at a Jan. 3 ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House.
“Wendy Freedman’s groundbreaking research on the Hubble constant, the rate at which the universe is expanding, solves one of the greatest puzzles in astrophysics,” reads the award citation. “This informed his work on other major advances in space discovery, including the Hubble Space and Giant Magellan telescopes, deepening our understanding of the universe.”
Among his scientific accomplishments, Freedman led the team that made a historic measurement in 2001 of the Hubble constant, the rate at which the universe is expanding. She was also a pioneer two additional methods for using different types of stars to verify the accuracy of measurements. She also led the initiative to build the giant Magellan telescopeone of the largest optical telescopes in the world.
Freedman is the 17th member of the UChicago community to receive the National Medal of Sciences.
“The National Medal of Science is a well-deserved recognition of Professor Wendy Freedman’s invaluable contributions to our understanding of the cosmos through measuring the rate of expansion of the universe as well as her founding leadership of the Giant Magellan Telescope, an international effort aiming to build an extremely powerful telescope capable of answering some of humanity’s biggest questions,” said Professor Ka Yee C. Lee, Acting Dean of the Division of Physical Sciences.
Among her many honors, Freedman has been recognized for her groundbreaking research as a recipient of the Magellanic Premium, the Gruber Cosmology Prize, and the Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics. In 2024, Freedman was appointed nature 10—a list selected by the editors of the renowned journal, which recognizes key scientific developments of the past year.
Established in 1959 by Congress, the National Medal of Science is the nation’s highest honor given to scientists and engineers. The Presidential Award is given to individuals “for their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, or social and behavioral sciences in service to the nation.”