August 05, 2019

President Donald Trump announced 311 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in July, and 35 of them are Sigma Xi members. The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government to outstanding scientist and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers and show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology. 

Established in 1996, the PECASE acknowledges the contributions scientists and engineers have made to the advancement of science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) education and to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, and community outreach. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates the PECASE with participating departments and agencies.

Sigma Xi members who are recipients of the PECASE are listed below by state, research institution, and nominating federal agency:

Alabama

Karolina Mukhtar, University of Alabama–Birmingham, National Science Foundation

California

Sanjay Basu, Stanford University, Department of Health and Human Services

Suveen Mathaudhu, University of California–Riverside, National Science Foundation

David Smith, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Heather Wright, Volcano Science Center, Department of the Interior

Colorado

Brian Ebel, National Research Program, Department of the Interior

Celestine Mercer, Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center, Department of the Interior

Delaware

Stephanie Law, University of Delaware at Newark, Department of Energy

Florida

Erinn Muller, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, National Science Foundation

Georgia

Lucy McNamara, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Health and Human Services

Binnian Wei, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services

Hawaii

Michelle Barbieri, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Department of Commerce

Illinois

Pinshane Huang, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Defense

Prashant Jain, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, National Science Foundation

Jason Wertheim, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs

Kansas

Alexandre Shvartsburg, Wichita State University, National Science Foundation

Maryland

Edwin Chan, National Institute of Standards and Technology Material Measurement Laboratory, Department of Commerce

Kathryn Keenan, National Institute of Standards and Technology Physical Measurement Laboratory, Department of Commerce

David Long, National Institute of Standards and Technology Material Measurement Laboratory, Department of Commerce

Katherine McJunkin, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services

Rebecca Schulman, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Energy

Massachusetts

Cara Stepp, Boston University, National Science Foundation

Michigan

Joanne Kahlenberg, University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Health and Human Services

Nevada

Marylesa Howard, Nevada National Security Site, Department of Energy

New York

Luis Campos, Columbia University, National Science Foundation

Thomas Hartman, Cornell University, Department of Energy

Jason Sheltzer, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services

North Carolina

Ron Alterovitz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Health and Human Services

Tracey Yap, Duke University, Department of Health and Human Services

Oregon

David Bell, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Department of Agriculture

Pennsylvania

Tak-Sing Wong, Pennsylvania State University, National Science Foundation

South Carolina

Mark Blenner, Clemson University, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Virginia

Richard Moore, Langley Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC

Carlie LaLone, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Protection Agency

Wyoming

Jeff Clune, University of Wyoming, National Science Foundation

See the full list of PECASE recipients on the White House's website.