NASA Scientists Receive Presidential Early Career Awards

Three NASA-funded scientists received the Presidential
Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
today at the White House.

These National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) awards
represent the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government
on scientists and engineers beginning their independent
careers. They recognize recipients’ exceptional potential for
leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge. The NSTC
only bestows the PECASE award to an individual once during
his or her career.

“NASA is honored to have such promising researchers among our
ranks of pioneers,” said NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. It
is the work of these talented individuals and others that
will propel us forward to carry out our exploration of Earth
and the universe beyond.”

NASA recipients and their winning research proposals:

-Dr. Carlos E. Del Castillo, Ocean Biology and
Biogeochemistry Program scientist, NASA’s Stennis Space
Center, Miss. “Carbon Transport by the Mississippi River
Plume.”

-Dr. Stuart D. Bale, assistant professor, Space Sciences
Department, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. “An
Investigation of Solar Wind Coherent Structure and Turbulence
Using Wind Spacecraft Instruments.”

-Dr. Sarah Stewart-Mukhopadhyay, assistant professor of
Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
“Experimental Investigation of Porosity and Volatility in
Impact Processes.”

The PECASE awards were created to foster innovative and far-
reaching developments in science and technology, increase
awareness of careers in science and engineering, give
recognition to the scientific missions of participating
agencies, enhance connections between fundamental research
and national goals, and highlights the importance of science
and technology for the nation’s future. The recipients
receive funding for their projects.

For Information about the PECASE awards on the Internet,
visit: http://www.ostp.gov/html/pecase2002.html

For information about NASA and photos of the award ceremony
on the Internet, visit: http://www.nasa.gov