As an actively engaged member and philanthropic supporter of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) since elected, Dr. Robert L. Bryant (’07) and his husband Réymundo A. Garcia are both avid supporters of the sciences who believe strongly in the mission of the NAS. “The NAS is providing a valuable resource to the country and ensuring it has the resources necessary to carry out its mission is something I feel strongly about,” says Bryant, a Phillip Griffiths Professor of Mathematics at Duke University.

Dr. Bryant and Mr. Garcia recently reached the Elkan Blout Society with their gifts in support of the Maryam Mirzakhani Prize in Mathematics, previously named the NAS Award in Mathematics, and they have been loyal supporters of the NAS Annual Fund since Dr. Bryant’s election. Renamed and established last year, the new prize will continue to recognize outstanding contributions by early and mid-career mathematicians while honoring Maryam. “These prizes help the public understand that these advances are benefiting us as a society.” As the Section 11 chair, Dr. Bryant is committed to ensuring this prize is funded because of its value to the field of mathematics.

Through his experience as an NAS member, Dr. Bryant has come to understand that, “The NAS helps those who understand how evidence-based science works find a voice and harness the tremendous knowledge at our disposal to contribute to the conversation around some of the most critical issues facing our nation.” Through giving regularly, Dr. Bryant is helping the NAS guide the nation on “issues that affect our lives every day.”