Prof. Figueroa Receives White House Science Award

Assistant Professor Joshua Figueroa of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego is among 96 researchers named by President Obama today as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. The award will be bestowed by the President at a White House Ceremony. "Discoveries in science and technology not only strengthen our economy, they inspire us as a people. President Obama said. The impressive accomplishments of todays awardees so early in their careers promise even greater advances in the years ahead." Established in 1996, the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. Nine federal departments and agencies annually nominate scientists and engineers who are at the start of their independent careers and whose work shows exceptional promise. Figueroa, who studies small-molecule activation and catalysis by organotransition metal compounds, was nominated for the award by the National Science Foundation. He was informed of the award by John P. Holdren, President Obama's science advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/07/23/president-obama-honors-outstanding-early-career- scientists">White House press release</a>