Recognition

Office of Naval Research Announces 2009 Young Investigator Award Recipients

ARLINGTON, VA. - The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has announced 15 aspiring researchers as award recipients of the U.S. Navy's 2009 Young Investigator Program (YIP).

"We serve our Fleet best by tapping the brightest young minds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," says Chief of Naval Research RADM Nevin Carr Jr. "With investments in initiatives like the Young Investigator Program, ONR is encouraging the growth of tomorrow's world-class science and technology workforce."

Award recipients were selected from 193 proposals submitted for the highly competitive program. Winners will receive a three-year research grant up to $510K.

The 2009 YIP winning recipients are: Dr. Andrea Armani, University of Southern California; Dr. Adam Cohen, Harvard College; Dr. Michael Freedman, Princeton University; Dr. Farinaz Koushanfar, Rice University; Dr. Ping Li, Cornell University; Dr. Anne McNeil, University of Michigan; Dr. Aydogan Ozcan, University of California - Los Angeles; Dr. Tomas Palacios, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Dr. Leila Parsa, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Dr. Brian Powell, University of Hawaii; Dr. Murray Snyder, United States Naval Academy; Dr. Rene Vidal, Johns Hopkins University; Dr. Junmin Wang, Ohio State University; and Dr. Joshua Zide, University of Delaware.

"The YIP program is an integral part of the Discovery & Invention portfolio, which seeks to nurture creativity and balance between risk and opportunity," said Sujata Millick, Ph.D., ONR acting director of research.

ONR's young investigators are considered among the top academic researchers in the country. YIP has been in place at ONR since 1985, recognizing research achievements, potential for continued outstanding research efforts, and strong support and commitment from their respective universities and research institutions.

YIP seeks to identify and support academic scientists and engineers who have received a doctorate or equivalent degrees within the past five years and who show exceptional promise for doing cutting-edge research. YIP's objectives are to attract outstanding faculty members of institutions of higher education to the Department of the Navy's research program, support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers.

For more information on the YIP program, go to http://www.onr.navy.mil/dor/yip.asp

About The Office of Naval Research
The Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological warfighting dominance. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in S&T with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1035 institutions of higher learning, and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1400 people, comprised of uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.