Los Altos High School seniors Eleanor Birrell and Brian Chang flank Rambus CEO Harold Hughes, who awarded an “Innovator of the Future” scholarship to each of them.

Rambus Inc. has announced that Brian Chang and Eleanor Birrell, both of Los Altos High School, have received the first “Innovator of the Future” scholarship awards.

Chang and Birrell distinguished themselves by showing strong leadership and communication skills, as well as the desire to have a positive impact on society through innovation in science and technology.

Each will receive $10,000 in equal increments over four years toward tuition and books at a U.S. or foreign college or university.

“We are extremely pleased to support these outstanding young individuals in realizing their higher education goals and wish them the best of luck for their future as we encourage them to make valuable contributions to their professions and communities,” said Rambus CEO Harold Hughes.

The “Innovator of the Future” scholarship awards program seeks to broaden the educational opportunities of students who, by virtue of their academic and extracurricular achievement, demonstrate a passion for science and technology that extends beyond the classroom.

The scholarship competition was open to students attending high schools in Mountain View or Los Altos who would graduate before fall 2005 and planned to attend a four-year college or university beginning in fall 2005. Rambus will announce the opening of applications for the 2006 awards during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Rambus, headquartered in Los Altos, specializes in the invention and design of high-speed chip interfaces.