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.