Three Pennsylvania academics were among those chosen to receive Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. A total of 94 researchers from across the country were picked for the award, which is the government's highest honor for young scientists. All three from Pennsylvania were nominated by the National Science Foundation.
A White House statement says scientists in the early stages of their careers are chosen for “their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.”
The three from Pennsylvania are:
– David Brumley, who teaches engineering and computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on software designed to disable computer systems, with a goal of making computers safe by finding and fixing their vulnerabilities.
– Lasse Jensen, who teaches chemistry at Penn State University. His research focuses on how computational tools can advance the study of chemistry. Jensen has a particular interest in studying the physical characteristics of objects based on how they interact with light.
– Claudia Valeggia, who teaches anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. She studies how biology and culture affect humans' reproductive systems. She was nominated for her research on indigenous women and girls in northern Argentina and for developing educational programs there.
Source: The White House
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen
