Grantee Wins Early Career Award

Dr. Mauricio R. Delgado of Rutgers University in Newark.

NIDA grantee Dr. Mauricio R. Delgado of Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, received a 2010 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). He was one of 85 researchers recognized for their accomplishments by President Barack Obama last November. Dr. Delgado and his team use functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how the human brain learns from positive and negative experiences and how this information guides behaviors associated with drug addiction.

"Science and technology have long been at the core of America's economic strength and global leadership," President Obama said in presenting the PECASE awards. "I am confident that these individuals, who have shown such tremendous promise so early in their careers, will go on to make breakthroughs and discoveries that will continue to move our Nation forward in the years ahead."

Each year, 10 Federal departments and agencies nominate meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show great promise for maintaining America's preeminence in science and engineering. Winners receive research grant extensions for up to 5 years to further their studies in support of critical government missions.