On Feb. 10, President Bill Clinton presented Eric Altman, associate professor of chemical engineering, a 1998 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in Washington, D.C. Altman was among 20 researchers to win the award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on "outstanding new scientists and engineers who are in the early stages of establishing their independent research careers."

Award winners -- who each receive $500,000 over a five-year period for their research and educational efforts -- are recognized for having demonstrated a special commitment to the integration of research and education. "These are the 'Golden Globe Awards' for...our nation's most promising scientists and engineering educators," said Rita Colwell, director of the National Science Foundation.

This year's 20 recipients were selected from 1,122 applicants. Of the 60 PECASE recipients to date (the first awards were established in 1996), two are from the Yale Faculty of Engineering. Peter Belhumeur, assistant professor of computer science and electrical engineering, received the award last year.

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