In 2019, on the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, the Society, 
in collaboration with the Italian Scientists and Scholars of North America Foundation (ISSNAF) Bay Area Chapter, decided to recognize Italian or Italian American early career researchers working in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The award was assigned in each of the following three categories: biological sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and engineering. The winners was presented with an award certificate and a $1,000 prize at The Leonardo da Vinci Gala in April 2019.
ISSNAF is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote scientific, academic, and technological cooperation among Italian researchers and scholars active in North America and the world of research, academia and industry in Italy.
Since then, the Leonardo da Vinci Society is continuing to recognize outstanding contribution to science and engineering by distinguished Italian-Americans.
Starting in 2020, we expand the awards to include the humanities as well as science and engineering. Details will follow.
PAST AWARDS:
OCTOBER 2019
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Leonardo 500 Honorary Award
SEPTEMBER 2019
Federico Faggin
Leonardo 500 Honorary Award
APRIL 2019
Gaia Andreoletti
Leonardo 500 Award in Biological Sciences
Simone D’Amico
Leonardo 500 Award in Engineering
Vanessa Polito
Leonardo 500 Award in Mathematic & Physics