Mariel Vazquez
NIMBioS board member Mariel Vazquez, a math professor at San Francisco State University, has been named one of the nation’s most promising young scientists for her work at the interface of mathematics and biology.
President Barack Obama named Vazquez as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the U.S. government’s highest honor for researchers in the early stages of their careers.
Vazquez is a pioneer in an emerging field called DNA topology, which applies pure math to the biological mysteries of DNA.
Vazquez is among 96 researchers selected for the award this year. PECASE recipients are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service. Federal departments and agencies nominate researchers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for keeping America at the cutting edge of science and engineering.
The PECASE award citation states that Vazquez is being honored for her “excellent interdisciplinary and international research at the interface of mathematics and biology, and for creativity and dedication to recruiting, training, and mentoring, and helping students from underrepresented groups achieve their goals.”
The National Science Foundation nominated her for the PECASE award.
For full details, visit the announcement from San Francisco State University press office and the White House press release on this year’s award.