Alumnus Wins Coveted White House Science Award
MADISON, NJ—Drew alumnus Jonathan Spanier is one of 58 recipients of this year’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Dr. Spanier was nominated by the Department of Defense, and was cited for “innovative research in materials science and engineering” in nanotechnology, the applied science of controlling matter at the atomic scale, and the fabrication of microscopic devices. (The devices with which Dr. Spanier works are measured in nanometers, one of which is equal to a billionth of a meter.)
“My group’s research involves investigating how finite size and shape of, and surface chemical environment on nano-scaled materials affects their properties,” said Dr. Spanier, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering (MSE) at Drexel University in Philadelphia. “In particular we prepare nano-structured materials and devices that can be used for encoding, storing and processing information, chemical sensing, and detecting light.”
Drew Chair and Professor of Physics Bob Fenstermacher, who taught Dr. Spanier as an undergraduate, is not surprised by his award. “He was a serious and thoughtful student and I much enjoyed his years with us in the physics department,” said Dr. Fenstermacher. “I think our program allowed him to develop his interest more slowly over time, and that was helpful to him in setting future goals.”
After earning a B.A. in physics and music from Drew in 1990, Dr. Spanier went on to receive his Ph.D. degree in applied physics from Columbia University in 2001. He completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in chemistry and chemical biology at Harvard University before joining the Drexel faculty in 2003. In addition to his professorship, he serves as associate department head for MSE, and as a co-director of the A.J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute. In 2004, he received the U.S. Army Research Office Young Investigator Award.
PECASE was created in 1996 by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). In February of that year, President Clinton commissioned the NSTC to create an award program that would honor and support young research professionals who show great promise in helping the U.S. to maintain its leadership position in science. Each PECASE winner receives research funding for up to five years following their award.
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Posted: November 15, 2007
