Mercer Times

Six current members of Princeton University and at least 14 alumni have been honored with the 2024 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). President Biden presented the awards on January 14. The PECASE is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to early-career professionals in science and engineering.

The award, established in 1996, acknowledges individuals who show "exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers," according to a White House press release. It highlights "innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology" and aims to enhance public awareness of scientific careers, support scientific missions of federal agencies, strengthen links between research and societal impacts, and emphasize the significance of science and technology for the nation's future. Recipients are nominated by one of 14 participating federal agencies.

Among those recognized from Princeton are Nathaniel Ferraro, Kelsey Hatzell, Aleksandra Korolova, Olga Russakovsky, Leslie Schoop, and Marissa Weichman. Ferraro works at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory; he was nominated by the Department of Energy for his work on magnetized fusion plasmas. Hatzell studies solid state batteries as an associate professor; she was nominated by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Korolova joined Princeton's Center for Information Technology Policy in 2022; her work focuses on algorithms' societal impacts, privacy preservation, and fairness.

Russakovsky investigates computer vision with implications for fairness, accountability, and transparency. She is also associated with NSF nominations. Schoop applies chemical principles to discover quantum materials; she was recognized by the Department of Defense (DoD). Weichman uses spectroscopy to explore complex chemical systems; her nomination came from DoD.

Princeton alumni receiving PECASE awards include Daniel Amador-Noguez, William Anderegg, Barry Bradlyn, Tamara Broderick from Class of 2007, Netta Engelhardt among others.