Four faculty members from UCLA have been recognized with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This award, established by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the highest honor given by the federal government to scientists and engineers who demonstrate leadership potential early in their careers.
The PECASE acknowledges significant advancements in science and technology, emphasizing their importance for the nation's future. It also highlights participating agencies' scientific missions and strengthens connections between research and societal impacts. The 2024 recipients are associated with or funded by 14 different agencies.
The honorees from UCLA include:
Elaheh Ahmadi, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, focuses on semiconductor materials and microelectromechanical devices. Her work aims to enhance energy efficiency across various technologies. Nominated by the Office of Naval Research, Ahmadi develops gallium nitride-based transistors for next-generation radio frequency technologies. She has previously received young investigator awards from both the Office of Naval Research and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, as well as a National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
Dr. Justine Lee holds the Bernard G. Sarnat Professorship in Craniofacial Biology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Her research involves developing regenerative therapies for head and neck deformities due to trauma or cancer. Lee's work focuses on creating materials that instruct cells to prevent bone loss in skull defects. "It is a wonderful surprise," said Lee about receiving the award. "I am very happy."
Osvaldo Gutierrez returned to UCLA this year as a faculty member in Chemistry and Biochemistry after being an alumnus of the department. His research includes designing environmentally friendly chemical transformations using new iron-based catalysts for cost-effective medicine production. He serves as UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center’s inaugural Hispanic Serving Institution STEM senior faculty director. Gutierrez has received honors such as NSF CAREER Award and NIH’s NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award.
Mitchell Spearrin is an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCLA Samueli, leading research on spectroscopy and molecular gas dynamics. His team develops laser-based sensors for studying fluid systems like propulsion flows, sustainable material synthesis, and wildfires. NASA nominated him for his breakthroughs in instrumentation systems for extreme environments along with his commitment to STEM education promotion.
For more information about Ahmadi's and Spearrin's achievements, visit the UCLA Samueli website.
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