President Obama Honors Two SUNY Researchers with Presidential Early Career Awards

Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today joined with Stony Brook University President Samuel Stanley and Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur in congratulating two SUNY researchers who have won the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).  The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government to researchers in the early stages of their careers.

The SUNY researchers are Elizabeth Boon, assistant professor of chemistry at Stony Brook University, and Scott A. Craver, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Binghamton University. They will each be honored at a White House ceremony this fall. Winning scientists and engineers receive a research grant of $200,000 per year for up to five years to further their study in support of critical government missions.

“These extraordinarily gifted young scientists and engineers represent the best in our country,” President Obama said in announcing the awards. “With their talent, creativity, and dedication, I am confident that they will lead their fields in new breakthroughs and discoveries and help us use science and technology to lift up our nation and our world."

“Professor Boon and Professor Scott are shining stars of SUNY and national models of the kind of innovation and inquiry taking place on our campuses,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “We celebrate these rising young faculty members and look forward to more cutting-edge research to come.”

Boon’s Biofilms Research

Boon’s research focuses on bacterial biofilms – communities of bacteria that live on surfaces and are difficult to kill, even with the most powerful antibacterial agents. Biofilms can form on nearly any surface including teeth, tissue, metal, rock, plastic and wood, and are of concern to the military, public health, and the environment. Boon’s research would allow scientists to better manipulate these films to protect everything from cargo ships to severe wounds.

“I am extremely honored to be selected as one of this year’s PECASE winners,” said Boon. “Although our work is still in its early stages, my research group and I have worked very hard; so national recognition of the potential of our discoveries is thrilling and gratifying. Furthermore, this honor motivates me to work even harder to live up to the promise and potential for which I am being recognized.”

“This is a great honor for Dr. Boon acknowledging her cutting edge research in a very important area,” said President Stanley. “It is always exciting when our early-career faculty members are recognized.”

Craver’s Counter-Deception Research

Craver, who specializes in information security, said the grant will allow a team of graduate students to continue to pursue a unified theory of counter-deception. The detection of watermarks and the ability to detect those trying to destroy watermarks has been a springboard into other facets of information security, he said.

“The award is a culmination of research we have previously done in information security,” said Craver. “Information security is something of a cat and mouse game: You try to detect; I try to evade. The big question is, who will win?”

“This honor places Professor Craver in the company of the best scientists and engineers in the nation,” said President DeFleur. “He is a gifted scientist and innovator and we’re very proud of his achievements. This award and Professor Craver’s research are examples of the quality of our faculty and their excellent research.”

About the Presidential Early Career Awards in Science and Engineering

PECASE winners are selected on the basis of two criteria: Pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology, and a commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education or community outreach.

The PECASE awards were established by President Clinton in February 1996 and are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President.

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating some 440,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about SUNY, visit www.suny.edu 

See the full release from the White House at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/PRESIDENT-HONORS-OUTSTANDING-EARLY-CAREER-SCIENTISTS/

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