State Legislators Honor Frances Arnold

Caltech chemistry professor Frances Arnold will be honored by the California Legislative Women's Caucus at its inaugural Breaking the Glass Ceiling awards ceremony in Sacramento, California, on March 4.

The ceremony, to be held in the Assembly chambers at the California State Capital, is part of the Legislative Women's Caucus commemoration of Women's History Month. Following the ceremony, Arnold and other awardees will attend a reception at the governor's office.

"I am honored to be included in the Legislative Women's Caucus's Breaking the Glass Ceiling ceremony," says Arnold. "It is important for people to know that there is a place for women in science and that female scientists are appreciated for their role in society."

Arnold will be among a small group of women so honored. According to the Legislative Women's Caucus, the Breaking the Glass Ceiling ceremony commemorates "influential women who have made an incredible contribution to California and have inspired women and girls here and beyond."

Arnold is the Dick and Barbara Dickinson Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Biochemistry at Caltech. Her "directed evolution" research has led to the creation of biological catalysts that are useful in the production of biofuels and chemicals from renewable resources.

Arnold has won numerous awards. In December, she was named by the White House as a recipient of the 2011 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. President Barack Obama presented Arnold with her medal in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on February 1.