Four NIBIB recipients are among the more than 300 recipients of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) announced by President Donald J. Trump on July 2, 2019 and to be presented at a ceremony on July 25. The PECASE is the highest honor awarded by the U.S. government to outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers and who show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology. The recipients announced this year come from universities in 38 states across the country.
“The PECASE Award is a national honor that highlights an exceptionally talented group of NIBIB grantees at a time of unprecedented progress in advancing human health,” said NIBIB Director Bruce J. Tromberg, Ph.D. “These promising young scientists span the country and a fascinating spectrum of bioengineering research, from biomaterials to biomedical devices. Each awardee represents a promising talent whose commitment to their innovative projects will shape the future of healthcare.”
Darren J. Lipomi, Ph.D., associate professor of nanoengineering, University of California, San Diegois a PECASE 2015 nominee, just awarded this year. His NIBIB grant is the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (DP2EB022358) support scientists who take novel approaches to major biomedical research challenges. Lipomi develops wearable and implantable medical sensors, including stretchable, biodegradable and self-healing semiconducting polymer materials. Stretchable electronic devices are designed to seamlessly integrate with the contours of the body to monitor vital signs, muscle activity, metabolic changes, and organ function. Their project aims to create a new class of semiconductor polymeric material that has the mechanical properties of human skin. This transparent electronic skin will be soft and elastic, detect contact, absorb blunt forces and self-heal when damaged, while providing continuous, wireless health monitoring.
Ron Alterovitz, Ph.D., professor of computer science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillis nominated for PECASE 2017. His NIBIB scholarship (R01EB024864) aims to improve the survival rate of lung cancer by enabling earlier stage diagnosis using a novel robotic device. The project is creating a new robotic system that implements a needle that can be guided semi-automatically through lung tissue to safely perform nodule biopsies. Currently used instruments cannot accurately access many nodules. The innovative robotic system will allow access to nodules throughout the lung, increase the precision of localization and prevent serious bleeding by directing the needle around larger blood vessels. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team spanning expertise in interventional pulmonology, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, mechanical engineering, and several subareas of informatics, including artificial intelligence and medical image analysis.
Xudong Wang, Ph.D., professor and associate chair of materials science and engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madisonis nominated for PECASE 2016. His NIBIB scholarship (R01EB021336) supports the development of self-powered implantable biomedical devices for real-time, continuous sensing, monitoring, and other vital health functions. A variety of energy sources in the human body, such as limb movement, breathing, and heartbeat, can provide sufficient energy for small biomedical devices. The project explores innovative nanotechnology to create self-sufficient power supplies for implantable devices used in areas such as wound healing and weight management.
Angela K. Pannier, Ph.D., professor of biological systems engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincolnis nominated for PECASE 2017. His NIBIB scholarship (DP2EB025760) is a pioneer award from the director of the NIH. His laboratory is developing more than 10 projects related to biomaterials and gene delivery systems. The award will support the development of novel methods that improve the use of adult stem cells in gene therapy, a promising tool to treat a variety of diseases.
Established in 1996, PECASE recognizes the contributions scientists and engineers have made to the advancement of science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) education and community service, as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, and community outreach. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates PECASE with participating departments and agencies. The PECASE Awards Ceremony will be held the morning of July 25, 2019 at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall. NIBIB-nominated winners will be honored at a NIBIB seminar on the NIH campus on the same day.
