Actually awards can move up the share price, and I've seen it happen when a company received a highly publicized award for their innovative technology ..however the spike was temporary, and it settled back down after a few days, but still maintained a new level a few percentage points above where it was previously.
Imagine if, for example, Lanza was awarded a Nobel Prize; the attention that would bring to ACTC would be immense, and you could pretty much guarantee the pps would rise as a result. Just to clarify; I'm not saying Lanza's about to get a Nobel Prize.. this was just a hypothetical scenario.
As far as someone joining ACTC who has received awards / accolades during their career; yes it definitely helps - it adds credibility to both the company and to any statements made by that individual about the company. People tend to sit up and listen to someone who has established themselves in such a manner, and that sort of attention is invaluable as a PR tool. That certainly would not hurt the pps any.
Seems to me yet another indicator that there is huge news coming, and coming soon.