October 24, 1997
NSF PR 97-65
Media contact:
Bill Noxon, (703) 306-1070, [email protected]
Program contact:
Margaret Cavanaugh, (703) 306-1840, [email protected]
TWENTY NSF-SUPPORTED YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
President Clinton today named 20 young National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported researchers, nine of whom are women, and eight of whom are engineers, to receive the second annual Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. The presidential honor is the highest bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding young scientists and engineers who are in the early stages of their independent research careers.
Sixty awards were announced overall, spread among eight federal agencies.
The awards were established by President Clinton in February, 1996, in order to meet the Administration's goals of producing the finest scientists and engineers for the 21st century while maintaining U.S. leadership across the frontiers of scientific research.
"These gifted young professionals exemplify the best of our science and technology community and will help set the scientific pace for the U.S. and the world in the years ahead," said the President. "Their passion for discovery and their determination to explore new scientific frontiers will drive this nation forward and build a better America for the twenty-first century."
Ten government agencies join together annually to nominate the promising scientists and engineers who will receive up to $500,000 over a five-year period to further their research. The young scholars are recognized through these awards for their research contributions, their promise and for their commitment to broader societal goals. In addition, their work supports advances in science for important government missions.
NSF selects its nominees for the presidential early career awards from a group of its most meritorious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program scientists and engineers. They have received NSF support because of exceptional research and leadership potential in their fields, and their integrated contributions to research and education.
The presidential early career awards will be presented in a White House ceremony on November 3.
-NSF-
Editors: Eligibility criteria are described in the NSF program announcement NSF 97-87, or see http:www.nsf.gov. On this site, select Crosscutting Programs, then, select again on Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers.
Attachment: NSF winners of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
NAME/INSTITUTION CONTRIBUTIONS
Jill E. Bargonetti Scholarly work in cancer-related
Hunter College of studies of cell growth and gene
City Univ. of New York expression and involvement of
undergraduate, graduate, and
especially minority students in the
discovery process.Peter N. Belhumeur Innovative concepts and student
Yale University laboratories in appearance-based
modeling for computer applications,
and forging interdisciplinary links
to physiology of human vision.Geoffrey E. Hill Original contributions to
Auburn University understanding evolutionary biology,
specifically avian sexual selection, and
integrating a fundamental research program
with public science education.Daniel P. Lathrop Innovative contributions to research
Emory University and education of undergraduates in
non-linear properties of fluid
interfaces relevant to understanding
turbulence, optical fibers, and black holes.Jon P. Longtin Research on laser-liquid
State Univ. of New York Interactions important in
at Stony Brook manufacturing, materials processing,
and biological systems and
outreach activities for high school
students and prospective teachers.Timothy A. McKay Contributions to a major optical
University of Michigan sky survey, particularly the
interpretation of gravitational
lensing, and for involving the
public and students at all
educational levels in research activities.Ann M. Sastry Research on predictive models for
University of Michigan selection and repair of fibrous
materials such as those used in
structural design or human biology
and introducing students to
interdisciplinary team learning.Steven W. McLaughlin Leadership in the development of
Georgia Inst. of Technology optical recording systems capable of
storing information in high-capacity
non-binary formats and development
of novel courses in communication theory.Renee J. Miller Contributions to solving problems
Ohio State University of schematic heterogeneity in
database-management systems and retaining
women and minorities in computer science.David P. Morton Innovative research on computational
University of Texas methods for large-scale systems
at Austin optimization and decision-making in
the utilities industry, finance, and
manufacturing and helping students
gain industrial experience.Linda K. Nozick Development of innovative solutions
Cornell University to problems associated with
transportation of hazardous waste
and encouraging middle and high
school students to pursue
engineering careers.Katherine Okikiolu Innovative research in geometric
University of California analysis, particularly the
at San Diego determinant of the Laplacian under
smooth perturbations, and developing
student workshops and mathematics
curricula for inner-city children.Lori A. Setton Leadership in education and research
Duke University in understanding and restoring
biomechanical functions to tissue
degenerated by injury or aging,
especially in the spine.Jaswinder P. Singh Contributions to computer
Princeton University engineering education and research
in the area of parallel architecture and
software development, including
results applicable to protein
structure determination.Eileen M. Spain Contributions to the synthesis of
Occidental College thin films essential to fabrication
of reliable semiconductor materials
and providing laser laboratory
opportunities to high school students.Florence I. Thomas Interdisciplinary research on the
Dauphin Island Sea Lab impact of organisms on nutrient and
pollution flow in marine
environments and development of an
interactive display in a public aquarium.Lonny L. Thompson Scholarly work on predictive models
Clemson University for structural acoustics applicable
to noise suppression and sonar
tracking and facilitating student
involvement in real-world engineering problems.Daniel W. van der Weide Pioneering research on nanoscale-
University of Delaware dimension electronic circuits and
development of a web-based
virtual laboratory that provides
student access to advanced
scientific instrumentation.Patricia A. Van Zandt Contributions to cognitive research
Johns Hopkins University and education, especially in
development of mathematical and
computer models for perception,
cognition and decision-making.Miguel Velez-Reyes Contributions to engineering
University of Puerto Rico education and research on power
-Mayaguez systems applicable to large systems
that transfer power among multiple
suppliers in the electric power industry.
###
RSS