The National Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2012 Public Welfare Medal [1] to Harold T. Shapiro [2], an Institute Trustee and President Emeritus and Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Established in 1914 to honor the use of science for the public good, the Public Welfare Medal is the Academy’s most prestigious award. Shapiro was honored for his efforts to distill, debate, and resolve complex aspects of controversial scientific issues. The award will be presented on April 30 during the Academy’s annual meeting.