Dr. Jianli Chen, a research scientist at the Center for Space Research at The University of Texas at Austin, has received a 2005 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Chen received the award for outstanding contributions to understanding the variations of the mass and angular momentum of oceans and global altimetry and gravity observations, and for unique leadership in advancing interdisciplinary science.
The award, established in 1996 by the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding researchers beginning their careers.
Chen was the only NASA-nominee this year. He was one of 56 researchers to receive the award for 2005. Chen will receive up to five years of funding to further his research.
“This great honor is not simply for myself. Without our amazing GRACE mission, excellent engineering and science team, and the always helpful staff team, receiving such an award is simply unimaginable,” said Chen
Chen joined the Center for Space Research in 1995. He researches the variations of the Earth’s rotation, gravity field and sea level. He also studies the causes of these variations in the atmosphere and oceans.
His recent research activities focus on geophysical applications and interpretations of gravity measurements from the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite mission.
For photos of Dr. Chen, go to: www.engr.utexas.edu/news/action_shots/pages/Chen_8-06.cfm
For more information of Dr. Chen’s research activities and publications, go to: www.csr.utexas.edu/personal/chen/
For more information on the GRACE mission’s findings, go to: www.engr.utexas.edu/news/articles/200608101082/index.cfm
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