Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The United States government has honored six Nigerians among 400 recipients with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
This award is the highest recognition given by the US government to exceptional young scientists and engineers. The awardees include Azeez Butali, Ijeoma Opara, Eno Ebong, Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Abidemi Ajiboye, and Oluwatomi Akinlolu.
The PECASE award recognizes individuals who demonstrate innovative research, leadership potential, and commitment to community service.
Created in 1996 by former President Bill Clinton, the award is given to US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents engaged in independent research. Federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Science Foundation (NSF) nominate candidates, and the White House makes the final selections.
The awardees have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Azeez Butali, honored under the NIH category, is known for his research in cleft genetics and has established research centers in Nigeria.
Ijeoma Opara, also recognized by the NIH, focuses on substance abuse prevention and youth mental health. Eno Ebong, an NSF awardee, studies the impact of blood flow and tissue stiffness on vascular health.
The recipients will receive a plaque, a citation, and research funding for up to five years.
As noted on the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers website, the award “identifies a cadre of outstanding scientists and engineers who will broadly advance science and the missions important to the participating agencies”.
