EAST LANSING, Mich. — Elena Litchman, associate professor of ecology, and Tonghun Lee, associate professor of mechanical engineering, were among 94 researchers honored by President Barack Obama as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers.
PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Litchman and Lee were nominated from a pool of the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America’s preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies' missions. Winning scientists and engineers have received research grants for up to five years to further their studies in support of critical government missions.
The awards, coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President, honors individuals 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.
“It is inspiring to see the innovative work being done by these scientists and engineers as they ramp up their careers – careers that I know will be not only personally rewarding but also invaluable to the nation,” President Obama said. “That so many of them are also devoting time to mentoring and other forms of community service speaks volumes about their potential for leadership, not only as scientists but as model citizens.”
This is not the first major national honor for Litchman, who is part of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. In 2009, she received a 5-year, $530,000 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation. She is studying how global environmental change is altering communities of tiny algae (phytoplankton) in lakes around the world and affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. Her research connects physical processes in lakes with ecological and evolutionary responses of harmful algae and other phytoplankton to changing climate. This research has implications for water quality as well as the understanding of responses of aquatic ecosystems to global change.
Lee was nominated for the award by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for contributions in the development of high-speed laser diagnostics for both advanced hypersonic propulsion and energy conversion systems. His research is focused on applying advanced laser diagnostics for next generation propulsion and energy systems research, including plasma enhanced combustion for scramjets, multi-spectral high-speed laser imaging of reactive flows, ignition characterization of advanced biofuels and development of alternative energy conversion systems. The PECASE award will provide a five-year, $1 million research grant for continued research and development of Lee’s program.
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