Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Six Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Six researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers.

The winners this year are:  Mechanical engineering and science professors Gaurav Bahl and Kelly Stephani; materials science and engineering professor Pinshane Huang; chemistry professor Prashant Jain; molecular and integrative physiology professor Daniel Llano; and physics professor Julia “Jessie” Shelton.

PECASE award winner Gaurav Bahl.

Gaurav Bahl.

Bahl’s research focuses on systems that incorporate both optical and mechanical elements – particularly mechanisms where light interacts with photonic devices via radiation pressure, gradient force, electrostrictive pressure and photothermal effects.

PECASE award winner Pinshane Huang.

Pinshane Huang.

Huang researches the atomic structure and chemical properties of nanomaterials and molecules to design materials and nanoelectronic devices for energy storage, sensing, catalysis and flexible electronics. Huang is also affiliated with the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Materials Research Laboratory at Illinois.

Stephani leads the Computational Kinetics Group, which utilizes direct simulation of molecular dynamics for improved modeling of nonequilibrium and noncontinuum flows, fundamental transport processes, and material response within multiscale, multiphysics systems. She is also affliated the department of aerospace engieering. 

PECASE award winner Prashant Jain.

Prashant Jain.

Jain investigates artificial photosynthesis through light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials. He has affiliations with the department of physics, the Materials Research Laboratory and the Beckman Institute.

PECASE award winner Daniel Llano.

Daniel Llano.

Llano investigates how the human auditory system processes complex sounds such as speech and recovery from brain injury. He is affiliated with the Beckman Institute and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at Illinois.

PECASE award winner Jessie Shelton.

Jessie Shelton.

Shelton studies particle physics with particular interests in dark matter, top quarks and the Higgs boson.

The young scientists and engineers receive up to a five-year research grant to further their study in support of critical government missions. The federal agencies involved include the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the National Science Foundation.

Read Next

Humanities Diptych image with book cover of "The New Internationals" and a headshot of English professor David Wright Faladé

English professor’s novel tells of love triangle in post-WWII Paris, based on his family history

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new novel by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign English professor David Wright Faladé tells the story of three people in a love triangle in post-World War II Paris. The characters in “The New Internationals” — a young French woman who has survived the Holocaust, a university student from West Africa and a […]

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010