UW News

August 17, 2006

Pun wins Presidential Early Career Award

Dr. Suzie Pun, UW assistant professor of bioengineering, has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to scientists and engineers beginning their careers. Pun and 55 other recipients were honored in a ceremony at the White House on July 26.

Pun was one of only six engineers nominated by NSF for this award.  NSF awardees are chosen from 350 to 400 faculty beginning their independent careers whose work shows exceptional promise for leadership at the frontier of scientific knowledge.  The award provides up to five years’ research funding. Pun’s research involves developing a new technology to allow efficient delivery of genetic material to the nuclei of non-dividing cells. The result of her research could have significant impact on genetic engineering by enabling direct treatment of cells and tissues.