Four young researchers affiliated with the University of California have received the 2005 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. They were among 56 young researchers honored by President George W.
Bush at a White House ceremony.
Established in 1996, the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers recognize scientists for extraordinary achievement at the outset of their careers, and whose research shows potential for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge.
The work of the four University of California researchers covers a wide range, including improving the understanding of the function of ribosomes, solving problems related to compact star explosions, and the study of marriages and close human relationships.
"These four UC scientists are emerging leaders in their fields," said UC President Robert C. Dynes. "They and others like them assure that UC will continue to be at the forefront of research that benefits both California and the nation.
"I am impressed by the talent and promise possessed by these young researchers and look forward to their future accomplishments. And I hope their exciting work will inspire other students to enter the fields of science and mathematics."
Nine federal agencies nominate researchers for the early career awards, as well as provide up to five years of funding to further the recipients' research in support of critical government missions.
The UC award-winers are:
UCLA
Shelly Lyne Gable Nayak, nominated by the National Science Foundation, is an associate professor of social psychology who studies marriage and other close relationships. She was recognized for her work in understanding how people interpret ambiguous social information, how people weigh incentives and threats in relationships, and how these factors contribute to an individual's well-being or loneliness.
UC San Diego
Tracy Lanise Johnson, a biologist, was nominated by the National Science Foundation. Her research focused on how interactions between the molecular machines that synthesize and process ribonucleic acid (RNA) modulate gene expression. Johnson was also recognized for her efforts to increase participation of underrepresented minority students in the sciences.
UC Santa Cruz
Michael Anthony Zingale, nominated by the Department of Energy, was recognized for his work supporting national security. He contributed to the creation of a state-of-the-art simulator code for solving nuclear astrophysical problems related to exploding stars.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Kevin Yosh Sanbonmatsu, nominated by the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, was recognized for his work in creating the largest simulation of a biological system to study ribosomal function. Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins from genetic material. Using LANL's "Q Machine"
supercomputer, Sanbonmatsu and his team created a molecular simulation of a cell's ribosome, which was six times larger than any biological simulations performed to that date.
# # #
For more information about Nayak:
www.newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=7219
For more information about Johnson:
ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/tljohnson06.asp
For more information about Sanbonmatsu:
www.lanl.gov/news/index.php?fuseaction=home.story&story_id=7428