AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University researcher Ravindra Singh received the 2006 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers at a special ceremony at the White House Nov. 1.
Ravindra Singh
The award was presented by John Marburger III, science advisor to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Singh joins 57 other health scientists nationwide as recipients of the award.
"I am extremely delighted to have received this award," said Singh. "This award is given to young scientists for an original contribution that is different from the mainstream thinking. I am both honored and humbled with this recognition. I am equally excited that this award goes to an ISU scientist, bringing national recognition to our campus at a time when ISU is gearing up to celebrate its 150th birthday."
Singh was appointed associate professor of biomedical sciences at the ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine on July 1, 2007. His award-winning research focused on correcting the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) gene while he was at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Singh will continue his research on SMA at Iowa State University.
"Dr. Singh has been recognized as an outstanding researcher and his accomplishments, capabilities and contributions to animal and human health are great additions to the college, Iowa State University and the state," said John Thomson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "We look forward to the continuation of his fine work at Iowa State. Our college plans to attain and retain a top-tier ranking and faculty members such as Dr. Singh will allow us to meet our goal."
In the award announcement to Singh, Walter Schaffer, senior scientific advisor for extramural research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said, "This is the highest award the nation makes to young scientists and we are very pleased that you were selected."
The PECASE award, established in 1996, honors the most promising researchers in the country within their fields. Candidates for the award must be nominated by one of nine participating federal agencies. Singh was nominated by the NIH. Other agencies submitting nominations are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Science Foundation; and the Department of Veterans Affairs.