The State of Utah has chosen the Governor's Medals as a symbol of recognition to those individuals who have provided distinguished service to the State of Utah in the fields of science and technology.
Industry
Dean M. Lester - ATK Thiokol
James LeVoy Sorenson – Sorenson Companies
Education
Barbara Gentry – Science Curriculum Consultant, Jordan School District
DonnaLee Trease – Oak Hills Elementary, Davis School District
Academia
Dr. Richard Grow – Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Utah
Dr. David W. Hoeppner – Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Utah
Dr. Daniel Simmons - Chemistry and Biochemistry, BYU
Dr. Valy Vardeny – Physics, Univ. of Utah
Government
Loren Morton – Utah Dept. of Environ. Qual., Division of Radiation Control
Pilar Shortsleeve - Forensic Biology Supervisor
Special Achievement Award
Dr. Richard Koehn – Sentrx Surgical
Biographies/Photos
Dean M. Lester - ATK Thiokol: Groups like ATK Thiokol and the Space 
Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) at Utah State University have placed Utah in a position of leadership in the global space race. ATK motors have powered every space shuttle into space and SDL has placed more payload into space than any other university associated program. Mr. Lester, his work, and his discoveries are examples of the individual leadership that underlies Utah’s overall leadership position in space exploration. Mr. Lester has served as an integral part of the ATK Thiokol team since the early 1980’s. Currently the principal scientist on the ATK’s efforts toward in-orbit space shuttle repair, Mr. Lester is the co-originator of the concept for Space Shuttle Leading Edge Repair (“Plug” concept). This invention aided NASA in meeting the Columbia Investigation Board requirements to safely return the space shuttle to flight. During his varied career, Mr. Lester has managed projects ranging from advanced propulsion techniques such as Solar Thermal Propulsion to the creation of materials and structures for use in space such as the structures created by the Gossamer Structures program. Mr. Lester has over 20 scientific publications; is named on several patents; and has received multiple awards including: the 1995 and 2005 Rotary National Award for Space Achievement; 1995 Thiokol Corporation Franklin Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement; and the 2005 NASA Silver Snoopy Award (a commendation bestowed only upon those who have demonstrated outstanding performance in support of NASA's space flight program). Mr. Lester graduated from Utah State University in 1979.
James LeVoy Sorenson – Sorenson Companies: It is truly impossible to summarize 
James LeVoy Sorenson’s contributions to Utah, and society at-large, in a short biography. Mr. Sorenson is a renowned American entrepreneur who has invented and produced numerous ingenious medical devices that have become essential in health care today. Known foremost for devising the first cardio-vascular medical device system to monitor the human heart in real-time, he also invented the disposable paper surgical mask and the plastic venous catheter. Each of Mr. Sorenson’s inventions not only solved persistent health care delivery problems, but also made the practice of medicine safer, more effective, and more comfortable for patients. With more than 40 medical patents, it is likely that a Sorenson medical innovation is at work in nearly every operating room and intensive care unit in the United States. Just one of Mr. Sorenson’s endeavors, Sorenson Research which was known worldwide for innovative medical products was fundamental in the development of Utah’s biotechnology industry. This industry includes nearly a hundred companies, including Abbott Critical Care Systems and Becton-Dickinson Vascular Access, and which has created tens of thousands of jobs over four decades. Mr. Sorenson’s diverse family of enterprises, linked by an innovative spirit and an entrepreneurial heritage, includes real estate development, information technology, genetic research, environmental testing, pharmaceutical and philanthropic endeavors.
Barbara Gentry – Science Curriculum Consultant, Jordan School District: A highly 
committed educator for nearly 30 years, Ms. Gentry has had and continues to have a significant influence on science education in Utah. A primary contributor to the Utah Core Curriculum development and implementation, assessment projects and teacher training, she was also the project manager for the first Science CRT tests in the state. As a participant in the Intel Math and Science Technology Workshop from 2000-2004 and author of a McGraw-Hill Life Science Textbook, Barbara has also had an impact on science education at a national level. Under Ms. Gentry’s direction, the Jordan school district Science Fair has grown from a handful of students to over 6,000 students this last year. Furthermore, Jordan students have begun to win significant prizes at the International Fair (ISEF). As a result of this achievement Ms. Gentry was asked to present to her fellow teachers at the ISEF meeting last year. Ms. Gentry continues to broaden her impact by teaching Utah’s teachers. She has written the assessment for the elementary Teacher Resource Book and edited the various reading selections. She meets monthly with a cohort of new science teachers in the Jordan school district to provide support in their first year and also meets monthly with a team leader from each science department in the Jordan secondary schools. Barbara offers small learning communities called Biology and Chemistry Focus groups in which Jordan instructors collaboratively plan lessons that are directly applicable to the classroom and have opportunities to visit classrooms and observe lessons taught by other Focus group members.
DonnaLee Trease – Oak Hills Elementary, Davis School District: Truly unique, Ms. Trease 
is the only NASA certified teacher in Utah. Ms. Trease has found exciting, innovative ways to express her commitment to teaching and her passion for science. For instance, Ms. Trease worked in conjunction with NASA, the Space Dynamics Laboratory and the Rocky Mountain Space Consortium at Utah State University, ATK Thiokol, and the Clark Planetarium to create “Space Week”. This program has impacted hundreds of elementary programs since its inception and thousands of Utah children. Over the years, Ms. Trease has also taken a total of 82 Utah children to “Space Camp” in Huntsville, Alabama. Ms. Trease has taken up a cause best summed up in a quote from Dr. June Scobee, widow of Challenger commander Francis "Dick" Scobee, “their mission is our mission”. Ms. Trease began her career in education as a substitute teacher in the Davis School District and moved into full-time teaching after she earned an elementary education degree from Westminister College in 1990. Her experience as a substitute teacher in elementary, and secondary schools alike, put her in a unique position to understand the needs of substitute teachers across the entire K-12 curriculum. The Davis District recognized her unusual experience and subsequently training developed by Ms. Trease is mandatory for all substitute teachers in the Davis Schools. DonnaLee was nominated on three separate occasions for “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” by her students - an example of the impact Ms. Trease has on her students
Dr. Richard Grow – Electrical Engineering, University of Utah: Professor Grow played a 
significant leadership role in the creation of one of Utah’s first economic clusters. As Chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering (1965-1977) Dr. Grow, in collaboration with Dean L. Dale Harris, recruited Dr. David Evans as the director of the Computer Science Division. This division, housed within the Department of Electrical Engineering, in all measurable terms was the creation point for the computer graphics industry. The foresight of beginning a computer science program and recruiting expert talent generated a period of productivity that borders on lore in the field of computer graphics. Certainly, being a key player in the leadership that fostered the development of the field of computer graphics is a significant career highlight, but Dr. Grow’s career also shows significant impact in his own field of study. This impact includes the founding of the nationally recognized Microwave Device and Physical Electronics Laboratory (MDPEL) which graduated 55 doctoral students. Looking back over the still active career of Dr. Grow, one can also see Dr. Grow’s leadership in the beginnings of the Department of Bioengineering (a national top ten program today). Dr. Grow’s career is an excellent example of the commitment, risk taking, and leadership that has created Utah’s technology-based economy. A graduate of the University of Utah (BS’48, MS’49) and Stanford University (PhD’55) Dr. Grow’s technical output is staggering, he has published well over 300 publications, papers, and technical reports and is included on several patents.
Dr. David W. Hoeppner – Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah: Professor 
Hoeppner is known throughout the world as a leading expert in material and structural fatigue, wear, and corrosion. A lack of understanding in structural fatigue and the resulting failure of aircraft components are directly linked to the cause of several recent aircraft failures resulting in thousands of deaths. In this critical field of study, Dr. Hoeppner’s international reputation is reflected in the range of companies and agencies that have funded his research, these include: Lockheed Martin, Sverdrup, Boeing, Rolls Royce, Garrett Turbine Engineering, Pratt and Whitney, Ltd. in Canada, the US Air Force, US-FAA, US-DOT, and many others. Dr. Hoeppner is the Director of the, Quality & Integrity Design Engineering Center a research center he founded. In addition to his research, Dr. Hoeppner is an extremely fruitful and committed educator having personally graduated over 60 students with advanced degrees. His contributions to the field of material and structural fatigue is exemplified by the fact that Dr. Hoeppner has published over 200 journal articles, papers, books, and reports. Dr. Hoeppner’s experience is quite remarkable and includes positions as: an endowed professor at the University of Toronto, 1978-1985; a tenured professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia 1974-1978; Group Leader, Fatigue and Fracture Laboratory, Lockheed 1969-1974; a tenure track, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, 1963-1964; and a tenure track, assistant professor at California State University, Northridge, 1963. Dr. Hoeppner was also chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a finalist in both 1996 and 2004 for the prestigious Crichlow Trust Prize in Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Dr. Daniel Simmons - Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young 
University: Dr. Simmon’s discovery of the COX II and COX III enzymes and his elucidation of the actions of the COX II molecular family form the basis of the majority of treatments for pain and inflammation in common use today. According to Nobel Laureate, John Vane, Dr. Simmons’ discovery is, “the greatest advance in a decade in pharamacology”. The contribution of this work to society is hard to quantify, but one measure is given by the fact that the COX II inhibitor market (ibuprofen, celebrex, etc…) is estimated in the billions of dollars. Certainly, the reputation of Utah as a world class center of biomedical discovery comes largely from work such as that done by Dr. Simmons. Including his article in the journal Science, Dr. Simmons has contributed over 100 articles, papers, presentations and books to his field of study. Additionally, Dr. Simmons has a strong commitment to both graduate and undergraduate education including the graduating of 12 advanced degrees students and the advisement of 13 bachelors honor theses.
Dr. Valy Vardeny – Physics, University of Utah: One of the University of Utah’s 
Distinguished Professors, Dr. Vardeny’s research has led him to the exciting field of nanoelectronics. In this research he is measuring the electronic transport through single molecules and aggregates. This research has enormous potential in microelectronics and may result in a new generation of ultra-small devices. Dr. Vardeny is widely acknowledged for his work as illustrated by the fact that his letters of support for his distinguished professorship included letters from 6 Nobel laureates and members of the National Academy of Science. Dr. Vardeny was the chair of the physics department from 1997-2003 and has received numerous awards including: University of Utah Distinguished Research Award (1996) and the Willard Award of the Utah Arts and Sciences (1997). Dr. Vardeny has chaired a variety of conferences in Organic Electronics that have brought over 1500 attendees to Utah and has brought in over $3 million in research funding to Utah. Dr. Vardeny’s research contributions are quite remarkable including over 400 papers, books, presentations, and technical reports. Dr. Vardeny has advised over 30 advanced degree seeking students and has is also named in 17 patents and patent disclosures.
Loren Morton – Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality, Division of Radiation Control: 
Mr. Morton is a graduate of BYU holding both a BS’81 and an MS’84 both in geology and has served Utah for over 20-years. Since 1994, Mr. Loren has served the State of Utah as the Senior Hydrogeologist. Prior to this position, Mr. Morton was an Environmental Scientist with the State of Utah from 1984 to1994. As an apparently dedicated lifelong learner Loren has continued to stay on the cutting-edge with over 20-classes, from Ground Water Hydrology to Soil Classification, under his belt. Additionally, Mr. Loren has contributed multiple publications to his field. Loren was instrumental in assembling the key scientific information that supported a position that resulted in the removal of 13.5 million tons of uranium mill tailings at the Moab millsite next to the Colorado River. This study was a collaborative effort with several parties including the University of Utah and the U.S. Geologic Survey. Loren guided this project and in the end Utah was well served. Mr. Morton is an excellent example to commitment and expertise that serves to protect our State’s well being and the significant quality of life enjoyed by all Utahns.
Pilar ShortSleeve – Forensic Biology Supervisor: DNA analysis has produced 
revolutionary change in crime scene and evidence analysis. With this revolution crime laboratories around the world have had to quickly learn highly advanced technologies. Here in Utah, Ms. Shortsleeve was instrumental in adopting and establishing DNA technology in the processing of criminal cases throughout the state. To accomplish this task required several years of training and more time to apply the learned techniques on sample cases. The importance of DNA testing in criminal cases is well known, what is not generally understood is the importance of the quality and reproducibility of the application of these techniques. In addition to the introduction of early DNA techniques to the crime laboratory, Ms. Shortsleeve is also committed to keeping Utah at the cutting-edge of criminal investigation. In this effort, she has attended over 40 workshops, classes, and meetings. An example of Ms. Shortsleeve’s work is a case involving a serial rapist who terrorized the northern part of Utah during the mid 1990’s. With no eyewitnesses and essentially no physical evidence other than DNA samples; Pilar’s expertise was critical in sentencing the perpetrator to a life-term. There are many examples of the critical role played by the technology that Pilar introduced to Utah’s Crime Laboratory. Additionally, Ms. Shortsleeve is the glue of the DNA section of the crime laboratory and has the ultimate respect and admiration of her staff and colleagues. In her 15+ years of service to our state Pilar has shown an impressive dedication to her profession and Utah is a better and safer place for it.
Dr. Richard Koehn – Sentrx Surgical: Dr. Koehn’s multi-faceted career has 
spanned several realms including scientist, educator, academic executive, and serial entrepreneur. It is because of his diverse activity here in Utah that Dr. Koehn is receiving a special achievement award rather than an award in one the categories of industry, education, academics, or government. Dr. Koehn was recruited to the University of Utah in 1992 from a professorship at the University of Stony Brook where he was also the Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences (1978-1988) and the director of the Center for Biotechnology (1983-1992). Beginning with his tenure as the University’s research leader (1992-2000) Dr. Koehn has driven science and technology in Utah as both a research leader and an entrepreneur. In 2003, Dr. Koehn provided the executive leadership that successfully led Salus Therapeutics in developing an anti-cancer drug technology that was the basis of a $30 million acquisition by Genta, Inc. Genta Inc.’s expansion of the Salus facility has created a number of new Utah technology jobs at Genta’s new Salt Lake City-based research facility. In 2004, Dr. Koehn co-founded Sentrx Surgical, another new biotech company. Sentrx centers its developments on University of Utah research and is in its early stages of development. Dr. Koehn has lectured on science and technology in more than 20 countries, has authored over 200 articles, papers, books, and presentations; and has sat on over 50 boards and committees ranging form the sciences to the arts. His honors include: a Guggenheim Fellowship; a NATO Senior Science Fellowship; an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, and recognition as a distinguished alumnus of Arizona State University. Through his leadership and vision, Dr. Koehn has had a far reaching influence on the science and technology industries of Utah that is difficult to quantify.