President Obama has named 105 researchers recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. This is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Awardees 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.

Some of the awardees in computer science include Pieter Abbeel, from University of California, Berkeley, Aaron Roth, from University of Pennsylvania, Sayeef Salahuddin, from University of California, Berkeley, Jakita Thomas, from Spelman College, and CCC council member Shwetak Patel, from the University of Washington.

Shwetak Patel directs his research group, the Ubicomp Lab, which focuses on solving interesting and socially meaningful problems using a mix of hardware and software applications. The researchers solve problems by applying expertise in sensing, signal processing, embedded systems, circuits, and human-computer interaction. CCC highlighted the UbiComp research lab in its Computing Research in Action video series.

See the White House Press Release for the full list of awardees from all the departments and agencies. 

Congratulations to Shwetak and all the awardees!