Presidential Early Career Award goes to 4 Carolina researchers
The U.S. government honor is the highest given to scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential.
Four Carolina researchers have received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, recognizing outstanding work in their fields.
The Biden administration recognized nearly 400 scientists and engineers across the country with the honor. The awards were established by President Bill Clinton in 1996 to celebrate scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers.
The awardees are employed or funded by 14 participating governmental agencies.
Carolina’s recipients include:
Dr. Kavita Arora, director of the general obstetrics, gynecology and midwifery division, UNC School of Medicine
Arora is an expert in disparities surrounding sterilization and reproductive bioethics. She was invited to serve on the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council. Arora’s research covers contraceptive care, LGBTQ health, abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She was recognized by the National Institutes of Health.
Mohit Bansal, John R. and Louise S. Parker Distinguished Professor in the computer science department, College of Arts and Sciences
Bansal’s research expertise is in natural language processing and multimodal machine learning. He has been on the forefront of artificial intelligence, working with a team at Microsoft Research to develop a significant breakthrough in the field in 2023. He was recognized by the Army Research Office.
Frank Leibfarth, Royce Murray Distinguished Term Professor of Chemistry in the chemistry department, College of Arts and Sciences
Leibfarth’s research tests molecules to turn plastic waste into useful materials, diversifying options for recycling. He and his team study the most-used plastics in society to find ways to change their chemistry and make them more valuable. He was recognized by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
Diego Riveros-Iregui, Bowman and Gordon Gray Distinguished Professor of Geography in the geography and environment department, College of Arts and Sciences
Riveros-Iregui’s lab focuses on the interactions and feedback among surface hydrology, vegetation and the atmosphere. He’s taken student researchers to the Andes Mountains in Ecuador to investigate what happens to carbon sinks as the planet warms. He was recognized by the National Science Foundation.
