Professor Amy Greenwald of this department has just received a prestigious PECASE (Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers) from the National Science Foundation. John H. Marburger III, Science Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented the awards today at a White House ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to 20 National Science Foundation (NSF) supported researchers and 37 other scientists and engineers representing programs sponsored by eight other federal departments and agencies.
Amy was recognized for her research on how automated software agents can make decisions in uncertain environments such as online auctions. She recruits many young women into computer science and effectively advises graduates and undergraduates. She also serves an advisor to a summer outreach program for ninth-grade students who gain hands-on computer experience.
NSF's nominees for these presidential awards are drawn from junior faculty members who have received grants from NSF's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program, considered the agency's most important and prestigious awards for new faculty members who show promise as leaders in science and engineering. These scientists have also translated their work into significant education activities. Nearly 400 young faculty members are chosen each year for the CAREER awards, which range from $300,000 to more than $750,000 over five years. The awards support the work and foster growth opportunities of those most likely to become academic leaders.
The NSF-supported PECASE recipients represent a little over 5 percent of all CAREER awards made in 2002. Of the 2,900 CAREER awards made since the program began in 1996, only 140 have received presidential recognition.
PECASE honorees receive no additional NSF funds beyond their initial CAREER grants, but the presidential recognition carries significant prestige as recipients represent the best among young researchers and educators from the CAREER program.
