Five Los Alamos researchers receive Early Career Awards

Grants to support innovation in basic science, energy security, climate change. LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico, January 21, 2010?Five Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have been awarded five-year research grants under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act through the U.S. Department of Energy?s prestigious Office of Science Early Career Research Program, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced recently. The awards represent a significant investment of Recovery Act funding to bolster the nation?s scientific workforce. Andrew Gaunt, Christopher Mauger, Nathan G. McDowell, Evgenya Smirnova, and Tsuyoshi Tajima of Los Alamos were among 69 early-career scientists selected to receive a share of $85 million in funding under ARRA. According to DOE, the new effort is designed to bolster the nation?s scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during the crucial early career years, when many scientists do their most formative work. For the next five years, the five laboratory employees will receive at least $500,000 a year to cover their annual salaries and research expenses. More than 1,750 of the nation?s top early-career researchers applied for the funding.