UI scientist honored with presidential award

A University of Iowa scientist was among the researchers honored by President Obama Monday.

The president named 94 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of research careers.

Gregory G. Howes is a UI assistant professor in physics and astronomy. According to his faculty web page, kinetic plasma turbulence is his primary research interest, with an emphasis on high-performance computational studies of turbulence in space and astrophysical plasmas. He is the lead scientist on development of AstroGK, a new gyrokinetic simulation code for astrophysical plasmas.

Sixteen federal departments and agencies join together annually to nominate the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America's preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies' missions. Howes was nominated by NASA.

The awards, established by President Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education or community outreach.