Eight researchers win PECASE awards

President Barack Obama named 94 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), including eight from Harvard. The PECASE award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

The recipients from Harvard include David T. Breault, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School (HMS); John S. Brownstein, assistant professor of pediatrics at HMS; Jose C. Florez, assistant professor of medicine at HMS; Tina A. Grotzer, associate professor of education at Harvard Graduate School of Education; Justin C. Kasper, associate of the Harvard College Observatory and lecturer on astronomy; Ali Khademhosseini, associate professor of medicine and assistant professor of health sciences and technology at HMS; William Nicholas Haining, assistant professor of pediatrics at HMS; and B. Price Kerfoot, associate professor of surgery at HMS.

“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.”

The recipients will receive the award in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14.