Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 21, 2000

Volume 28, Number 29

Two young scientists honored with
Presidential Early Career Awards

The nation's highest honor for young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers has been awarded to two Yale faculty members.

Marina Picciotto, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, was recognized for her research into the effects of nicotine on the brain. Michael Loewenberg, associate professor of chemical engineering, was awarded the honor in recognition of his research into complex fluids.

Picciotto and Loewenberg received the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers in a ceremony April 12 at the White House. They were among 60 young researchers honored. The awards were established by President Clinton in 1996 as evidence that his administration places a high priority on producing outstanding scientists and engineers who contribute to all sectors of the economy.

Eight federal departments and agencies join together each year to nominate the most meritorious young scientists and engineers who will broadly advance the science and technology that will be of the greatest benefit to fulfilling the agencies' missions. The agencies are the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Veterans Af-fairs, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation.

"We honor these outstanding young scientists and engineers for their research contributions, for their promise and for their commitment to broader societal goals," President Clinton said in announcing the recipients of the award. "They will do much to shape our society and advance our national interests in the 21st century."

The scientists receive up to a five-year grant to further their research.

Picciotto obtained her Ph.D. in neuroscience at Rockefeller University in New York and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. In addition to psychiatry, Picciotto also has appointments in the Departments of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, as well as in the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. The main focus of her research is looking for the molecular and anatomical actions of nicotine in the brain.

Loewenberg obtained his B.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. He was honored for his novel research in viscous, multiphase fluids which lead to the development of predictive models for use in chemical and manufacturing industries.

By Jacqueline Weaver

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