Montclair State University Teacher Gets Presidential Award

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair State University associate professor was among 102 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), one of the highest honors that can be bestowed by the United States government on federally funded science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research careers.

Pankaj Lal, associate professor of Earth and Environmental Studies and associate director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, was nominated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for his collaborative, interdisciplinary research that “contributed to the development of a sustainable bio-economy as a fossil fuel alternative by assessing the socioeconomic impacts of forest- and agriculture-based biofuel development in Southern rural communities.”

“I congratulate these outstanding scientists and engineers on their impactful work,” Obama stated on Jan. 9. “These innovators are working to help keep the United States on the cutting edge, showing that federal investments in science lead to advancements that expand our knowledge of the world around us and contribute to our economy.”

Lal said it was “extremely gratifying to get presidential validation” for his research.

“Personally, it gives me added confidence to continue on with my sustainable energy and resources research, which is one of the grand challenges facing modern society,” Lal said. “I also share this award with the exceptional students in my research group. I’m proud that their work contributed towards my getting this award, and am thankful to my colleagues at Montclair State, who have been extremely supportive.”

Photo: Montclair State University, used with permission

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