The Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences, upon the recommendation of its Human Rights Committee, has given the 2007 Heinz R. Pagels Human Rights of Scientists Award to:

Dr. Gao Yaojie for her "selfless work to contain the infectious epidemic of AIDS. Dr. Gao Yaojie, a retired physician in Central Henan Province, China, has for many years taken a leading position in documenting the spread of AIDS in China, especially in rural areas. Besides publicizing the extent of the illness, Dr. Gao actively worked to treat it, and to prevent its further spread.

Dr. Jiang Yangyong in recognition of his work containing the SARS epidemic. Dr. Yangyong, a surgeon in Beijing Military Hospital 301, wrote letters to national and international media detailing the magnitude of the SARS epidemic, an act that helped stop the spread of SARS and begin the process of containment.

At the annual meeting of the Academy, on September 20th, Dr. Gao's award will be received by her daughter, Yanguang Guo and Dr. Gao's sister Mingfeng Gao.

Dr. Yanyong was not permitted to travel to New York to receive the award by his army affiliated work unit Beijing Hospital 301.