Nine University of California and affiliated lab researchers are among 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 awards, established in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education or community outreach. Recipients are employed or funded by various federal departments and agencies.

UC's recipients, by agency affiliation, are:

Department of Defense
Ania Bleszynski Jayich, UC Santa Barbara

Department of Education
Li Cai, UCLA

Department of Energy
Jeffrey W. Banks, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Amy J. Clarke, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Heather Whitley, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Department of Health and Human Services
Emanual M. Maverakis, UC Davis

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Yuri Y. Shprits, UCLA

National Science Foundation
Joshua S. Figueroa, UC San Diego
Jennifer Wortman Vaughan, UCLA