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

2008

White House Announces 2008 Awards for Early Career Scientists and Engineers

Thomas P. Cappola, M.D., Sc.M. (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)
His research on the use of genetic and genomic approaches for studying ventricular remodeling in humans is supported by a grant from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Pablo A. Celnik, M.D. (Johns Hopkins Hospital) (website, )
His research on the underlying mechanisms of plasticity in the central nervous system in order to develop novel therapeutic approaches that promote recovery of function following an injury is supported by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute on Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Felicia D. Goodrum, Ph.D. (University of Arizona)
Her research on hematopoetic progenitor cells and their influence on latency in human cytomegalovirus infections is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Bruce J. Hinds, III, Ph.D.  (University of Kentucky)
His research on the use of gated carbon nanotube membranes for transdermal drug delivery is supported by a grant from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). 

Helen H. Lu, Ph.D. (Columbia University)
Her work on the use of biomimetic scaffolds to promote chondrocyte-mediated regeneration of the interface between soft tissue and bone is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). 

Ulrike Peters, Ph.D., M.P.H. (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)
Her research on selenium and the interaction of genetic variations and nutrition on cancer prevention is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Jeremy F. Reiter, M.D., Ph.D. (University of California at San Francisco)
His research on the role of the proto-oncogene Smoothened and its interaction with the primary cilium in the development of cancer is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). 

Marisa Roberto, Ph.D. (The Scripps Research Institute)
Her research on neuropeptides, neuronal function and synaptic communication related to alcohol and other drugs of abuse is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA). 

Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. (The Scripps Research Institute)
Her studies on the role of glycoproteins in the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of Ebola virus is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). 

Oscar E. Suman, Ph.D. (Shriner’s Hospital for Children, University of Texas Medical Branch) 
His research on supervised and structured aerobic and resistance exercise on muscle mass and bone mass in severely burned children is supported by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute on Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Kristin V. Tarbell, Ph.D. (National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program) 
Her research on the role of dendritic cells on T cell mediated autoimmune diseases such as diabetes is supported by the National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Gonzalo E. Torres, Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh)
His research on cellular and molecular regulation of monamine transporters in brain and the relationship to psychiatric disorders and drug addiction is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).