title: Double Helix Medal
text: # Double Helix Medal
  
  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:
  
  * Reggie Jackson
  * Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D.
  * George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D.
  
  2020:
  
  2019:
  
  * Boomer Esiason
  * Nancy Wexler, Ph.D.
  
  2018:/
  
  * Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg
  * Larry Norton, M.D.
  
  2017:
  
  * Tom Brokaw
  * Helen & Charles Dolan
  
  2016:
  
  * Alan Alda
  * P. Roy Vagelos
  
  2015:
  
  * David Botstein
  * Katie Couric
  * Anne Wojcicki
  
  2014:
  
  * Andrew Solomon
  * Matthew Meselson
  * Marlo Thomas
  
  November 4, 2013:
  
  * Peter Neufeld
  * Robin Roberts
  * Barry C. Scheck
  
  November 28, 2012:
  
  * Michael J. Fox
  * Arthur D. Levinson
  * Mary D. Lindsay
  
  November 15, 2011:
  
  * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  * Temple Grandin
  * Harold E. Varmus
  
  November 9, 2010:
  
  * Mary-Claire King
  * Evelyn Lauder
  * John F. Nash, Jr.
  
  November 10, 2009:
  
  * Herbert W. Boyer
  * Stanley N. Cohen
  * Kathryn W. Davis
  * Maurice Greenberg
  
  November 6, 2008:
  
  * Sherry Lansing
  * Marilyn and James Simons
  * James D. Watson
  * J. Craig Venter
  
  November 8, 2007:
  
  * David Koch
  * Michael Wigler
  * Richard Axel
  
  November 9, 2006:
  
  * Muhammad Ali
  * Suzanne Wright
  * Bob Wright
  * Phillip Sharp
  