Visiting Investigator and former postdoctoral fellow Matthew Fouch, of Arizona State University, has been named a recipient of the 2006 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)—the highest honor given by the United States Government to scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.

Each year, PECASE recipients are selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) from a group of young scientists taking part in its Faculty Early Career Development Program. In addition to NSF’s winners, there are 38 scientists nominated by other government agencies. According to NSF Deputy Directory Kathie L. Olsen, “These scientists and engineers have not only brought transformational ideas to their fields of study, they have also enriched the educational environment, especially in their roles as mentors.” For more information on the award, see the NSF release.