Three Hertz Foundation Fellows Receive Presidential Honors; Leaders in Applied Physical, Biological and Engineering Sciences

LIVERMORE, Calif., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Three Fellows of the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, including Erez Lieberman-Aiden, Cindy Regal and Joseph Subotnik, were named in the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. The three are among 96 researchers receiving the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. The Awards underscore the high priority the Administration has placed on "producing outstanding scientists and engineers to advance the Nation's goals, tackle grand challenges, and contribute to the American economy."

Established by President Clinton in 1996, the Awards are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office. Recipients are selected for their "pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach."

Recipients are employed or funded by the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation. These join annually to nominate the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America's preeminence in science and engineering, as well as contributing to the awarding agencies' missions.

"These Awards embody the fabric of our own mission," stated Hertz Foundation President, Dr. Jay Davis. "As the President has stated, 'Discoveries in science and technology not only strengthen our economy, they inspire us as a people.' The Hertz Foundation is gratified to see that three of those selected from throughout the Country are our Fellows, validating our efforts to help the most creative demonstrate their promise as early in their careers as possible."

For nearly a half century, the Hertz Foundation has fostered the scientific and engineering strength of the Nation by finding the best and brightest from those disciplines. Considered to be the Nation's most generous support for graduate education in the applied physical, biological and engineering sciences, the Hertz Fellowship is valued at more than a quarter million dollars per student, with support lasting up to five years. Fellows have the freedom to innovate in their doctoral studies without university or research restrictions. During the past decade, the Hertz Foundation has supported the Hertz Fellows to build the Hertz Fellows Community for all ages to gather together, inspire one another and collaborate for innovation that further augments the powerful contribution they bring to society.

Hertz Fellows are chosen for their intellect, their ingenuity and their potential to bring meaningful improvement to the world. "The Hertz Foundation nurtures these remarkable young men and women as they develop and explore their genius," continued Dr. Davis. "We help genius find itself."

Recipient Profiles

Erez Lieberman-Aiden • https://www.hertzfoundation.org/dx/fellows/fellow_profile.aspx?d=1135

Cindy Regal • https://www.hertzfoundation.org/dx/fellows/fellow_profile.aspx?d=1105

Joseph Subotnik • http://www.chem.upenn.edu/chem/research/faculty.php?id=54

More Information about the Hertz Foundation • https://www.hertzfoundation.org/

SOURCE Fannie and John Hertz Foundation