In February 1996, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), was commissioned by President Clinton to create an award program that would honor and support the extraordinary achievements of young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers in the fields of science and technology. The Presidential Award embodies the high priority placed by the government on maintaining the leadership position of the United States in science by producing outstanding scientists and engineers who will broadly advance science and the missions important to the participating agencies.

The Presidential Awards are intended to recognize and nurture some of the finest scientists and engineers who, while early in their research careers, show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge during the twenty-first century. The Awards will first and foremost support the continued development of the awardees, foster innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology, increase awareness of careers in science and engineering, give recognition to the scientific missions of participating agencies, enhance connections between fundamental research and national goals, and highlight the importance of science and technology for the nation's future.

The Presidential Award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. The White House following recommendations from participating agencies will confer the awards annually. To be eligible for a Presidential Award, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident. Each Presidential Award will be of five years duration. Selection criteria and processes are dependent upon the agency.

The participating agencies are:

National Science Foundation
National Science and Technology Council
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health
Department of Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs

2007

White House Announces 2007 Awards for Early Career Scientists and Engineers

Daphne W. Bell (NHGIR-Intramural) National Human Genome Research Institute
For research to define the genetic alterations that lead to the development of cancer and for her mentorship of trainees. (website, photo)

Thomas A. Blanpied (NIMH-Extramural) University of Maryland, Baltimore
For research examining the dynamic protein organization underlying the function and plasticity of individual connections between brain neurons at high resolution in living cells, as well as for his mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students. (website, photo)

Kevin C. Eggan (NICHD-Extramural) Harvard University
For developing new approaches for reprogramming patient cells into pluripotent stem cells and for developing and teaching new undergraduate curricula in stem cell science. (website, photo)

Raymond Habas (NIGMS-Extramural) Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine
For studies uncovering fundamental molecular and biochemical mechanisms regulating gastrulation and pattern formation during embryo-genesis, and for his mentorship of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. (website, photo)

Amy B. Heimberger (NCI-Extramural) University of Texas
For research on central nervous system immune biology, tumor evasion of immune detection, and immunotherapeutic approaches for patients with malignant gliomas, as well as for her contributions to public education and her work with undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. (website, photo)

James C. Iatridis (NIAMS-Extramural) University of Vermont
For multidisciplinary biomedical engineering research to prevent intervertebral disc degeneration and to promote repair and for his mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows. (website, photo)

Francis S. Lee (NINDS-Extramural) Weill Medical College of Cornell University
For pioneering research demonstrating the relationship between genetic variants of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and altered learning and development patterns in transgenic mice that may lead to novel treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as for his service with the Red Cross after the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 and for his mentorship of residents. (website, photo)

Michael J. MacCoss (NIDDK-Extramural) University of Washington
For the development and application of mass spectrometry and stable isotope-based technologies for the high throughput measurement of dynamic changes in the proteome and for his mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. (website, photo)

Eliott H. Margulies (NHGRI-Intramural) National Human Genome Research Institute
For identifying and characterizing functional elements in the human genome by developing methods that leverage comparative genomics, bioinformatics, and new DNA sequencing technologies, as well as for his educational outreach efforts to educate diverse communities about genomics research. (website, photo)

Suchitra Nelson (NIDCR-Extramural) Case Western Reserve University
For research on factors that lead to dental caries in very low birth weight infants and for the advancement of scientific knowledge of care for special needs children, as well as for a community-wide effort to lower dental caries in elementary school children from an urban school district. (website, photo)

Laura E. O’Dell (NIDA-Extramural) University of Texas, El Paso
For providing novel insights into the neurobehavioral mechanisms that mediate adolescent tobacco abuse, as well as for her mentorship of minority students interested in pursuing careers in science. (website, photo)

Li Zhang (NIDCD-Extramural) USC/ Keck School of Medicine
For innovative, multifaceted research on the structure and function of neural circuitry in the auditory cortex and for teaching and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. (website, photo)