Professor Kamen was the discoverer of Carbon 14 and the originator of many of the techniques for the use of radioactive tracers in biochemistry and molecular biology. He also carried out extensive research that underlies much of our understanding of the biochemistry of photosynthesis. From 1964 until Professor Kamen's death in 2002, he and Professor Robinson worked together on a variety of collaborative projects.

For his discovery of Carbon 14 and work on radioactive tracers, Professor Kamen received in 1995 the Enrico Fermi award, the highest honor in physics awarded in the United States. His autobiography, Radiant Science, Dark Politics, Martin D. Kamen, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1985 describes the unusual life and accomplishments of this extraordinary scientist.