Prof. Dirks gave a brief history of The New York Academy of Sciences, the organization’s connection to the Blavatnik Awards and Len Blavatnik’s inspiration to create a unique science prize that honored scientists early in their career, where money and recognition could propel scientific achievement and innovation. When the Master of Ceremony, Larry Bacow, returned to the stage, he announced on-stage the esteemed cohort of 2020 National Finalists and 2021 National Finalists in the awards categories of Life Sciences, Chemistry, and Physical Sciences & Engineering.