![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/53755147481-63f4d71182-o.jpg?w=1280\")
<\/a><\/figure>President Biden has named 19 researchers who contribute to NASA\u2019s mission as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). These recipients are among nearly 400 federally funded researchers receiving the honor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Established in 1996 by the National Science and Technology Council, the PECASE Award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to scientists and engineers who are beginning their research careers. The award recognizes recipients\u2019 potential to advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge and their commitment to community service, as demonstrated through professional leadership, education or community outreach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so impressed with these winners and what they have accomplished,\u201d said Kate Calvin, chief scientist, NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cThey have made valuable contributions to NASA science and engineering, and I can\u2019t wait to see what they do in the future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The following NASA recipients were nominated by the agency:\u00a0<\/p>\n
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- Natasha Batalha<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley, California\u00a0\u2013 for transformational scientific research in the development of open-source systems for the modeling of exoplanet atmospheres and observations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Elizabeth Blaber<\/strong>, <\/strong>Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York <\/strong>\u2013 for <\/strong>transformative spaceflight and ground-based space biology research\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- James Burns<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of Virginia, Charlottesville\u00a0\u2013 for innovative research at the intersection of metallurgy, solid mechanics and chemistry\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Egle Cekanaviciute, <\/strong>NASA Ames Research Center \u2013 for producing transformational research to enable long-duration human exploration on the Moon and Mars\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Nacer Chahat<\/strong>, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, <\/strong>Pasadena, California <\/strong>\u2013 for <\/strong>leading the innovation of spacecraft antennas that enable NASA deep space and earth science missions\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Ellyn Enderlin<\/strong>, <\/strong>Boise State University, <\/strong>Idaho \u2013 for innovative methods to study glaciers using a wide variety of satellite datasets\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- David Estrada<\/strong>, <\/strong>Boise State University, Idaho \u2013 for innovative research in the areas of printed electronics for in space manufacturing and sensors for harsh environments\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Burcu Gurkan<\/strong>, <\/strong>Case Western Reserve University, <\/strong>Cleveland, Ohio\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 for transforming contemporary approaches to energy storage and carbon capture to be safer and more economical, for applications in space and on Earth\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Elliott Hawkes<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of California, Santa Barbara \u2013 for highly creative innovations in bio-inspired robotics that advance science and support NASA\u2019s mission\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- John Hwang<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of California, San Diego \u2013 for innovative approach to air taxi design and key contributions to the urban air mobility industry\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- James Tuttle Keane<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory <\/strong>\u2013 for innovative and groundbreaking planetary geophysics research, and renowned planetary science illustrations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Kaitlin Kratter<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of Arizona, <\/strong>Tucson \u2013<\/strong> for leadership in research about the formation and evolution of stellar and planetary systems beyond our own\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Lyndsey McMillon-Brown<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>for leadership in photovoltaic research, development, and demonstrations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Debbie Senesky,<\/strong> Stanford University, California \u2013 <\/strong>for research that has made it possible to operate sensing and electronic devices in high-temperature and radiation-rich environments\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Seroussi<\/strong>, <\/strong>Dartmouth College, <\/strong>Hanover, New Hampshire \u202f<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>for leading the cryosphere science community in new research directions about the role of ocean circulation in the destabilization of major parts of Antarctica\u2019s ice sheets\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Timothy Smith<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Glenn Research Center \u2013 for achievements in materials science research, specifically in high temperature alloy innovation\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Mitchell Spearrin<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of California, Los Angeles <\/strong>\u2013 for pioneering scientific and technological advancements in multiple areas critical to NASA\u2019s current and future space missions including rocket propulsion, planetary entry, and sensor systems\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Michelle Thompson<\/strong>, <\/strong>Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana \u202f\u2013 for research in planetary science and dedication to training the next generation of STEM leaders\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Mary Beth Wilhelm<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Ames Research Center <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>for achievements in science, technology, and community outreach through her work in the fields of space science and astrobiology\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The PECASE awards were created to highlight the importance of science and technology for America\u2019s future. These early career awards foster innovative developments in science and technology, increase awareness of careers in science and engineering, provide recognition to the scientific missions of participating agencies, and enhance connections between research and challenges facing the nation. For a complete list of award winners, visit:\u00a0<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/ostp\/news-updates\/2025\/01\/14\/president-biden-honors-nearly-400-federally-funded-early-career-scientists<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nElizabeth R. Landau <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"President Biden has named 19 researchers who contribute to NASA\u2019s mission as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). These recipients are among nearly 400 federally funded researchers receiving the honor.\u00a0\u00a0 Established in 1996 by the National Science and Technology Council, the PECASE Award is the highest honor given by [\u2026] Continue reading
- Mary Beth Wilhelm<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Ames Research Center <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>for achievements in science, technology, and community outreach through her work in the fields of space science and astrobiology\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Michelle Thompson<\/strong>, <\/strong>Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana \u202f\u2013 for research in planetary science and dedication to training the next generation of STEM leaders\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Mitchell Spearrin<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of California, Los Angeles <\/strong>\u2013 for pioneering scientific and technological advancements in multiple areas critical to NASA\u2019s current and future space missions including rocket propulsion, planetary entry, and sensor systems\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Timothy Smith<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Glenn Research Center \u2013 for achievements in materials science research, specifically in high temperature alloy innovation\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Seroussi<\/strong>, <\/strong>Dartmouth College, <\/strong>Hanover, New Hampshire \u202f<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>for leading the cryosphere science community in new research directions about the role of ocean circulation in the destabilization of major parts of Antarctica\u2019s ice sheets\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Debbie Senesky,<\/strong> Stanford University, California \u2013 <\/strong>for research that has made it possible to operate sensing and electronic devices in high-temperature and radiation-rich environments\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Lyndsey McMillon-Brown<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>for leadership in photovoltaic research, development, and demonstrations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Kaitlin Kratter<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of Arizona, <\/strong>Tucson \u2013<\/strong> for leadership in research about the formation and evolution of stellar and planetary systems beyond our own\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- James Tuttle Keane<\/strong>, <\/strong>NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory <\/strong>\u2013 for innovative and groundbreaking planetary geophysics research, and renowned planetary science illustrations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- John Hwang<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of California, San Diego \u2013 for innovative approach to air taxi design and key contributions to the urban air mobility industry\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Elliott Hawkes<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of California, Santa Barbara \u2013 for highly creative innovations in bio-inspired robotics that advance science and support NASA\u2019s mission\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Burcu Gurkan<\/strong>, <\/strong>Case Western Reserve University, <\/strong>Cleveland, Ohio\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 for transforming contemporary approaches to energy storage and carbon capture to be safer and more economical, for applications in space and on Earth\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- David Estrada<\/strong>, <\/strong>Boise State University, Idaho \u2013 for innovative research in the areas of printed electronics for in space manufacturing and sensors for harsh environments\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Ellyn Enderlin<\/strong>, <\/strong>Boise State University, <\/strong>Idaho \u2013 for innovative methods to study glaciers using a wide variety of satellite datasets\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Nacer Chahat<\/strong>, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, <\/strong>Pasadena, California <\/strong>\u2013 for <\/strong>leading the innovation of spacecraft antennas that enable NASA deep space and earth science missions\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Egle Cekanaviciute, <\/strong>NASA Ames Research Center \u2013 for producing transformational research to enable long-duration human exploration on the Moon and Mars\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- James Burns<\/strong>, <\/strong>University of Virginia, Charlottesville\u00a0\u2013 for innovative research at the intersection of metallurgy, solid mechanics and chemistry\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Elizabeth Blaber<\/strong>, <\/strong>Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York <\/strong>\u2013 for <\/strong>transformative spaceflight and ground-based space biology research\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n