2013 Outstanding Young Scientists and Outstanding Young Engineers Honored

BALTIMORE, Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Academy of Sciences and the Maryland Science Center will present the 2013 Annual Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) and Outstanding Young Engineer (OYE) awards on Wednesday, November 20, 2013.

Those honored with the OYS award are Claire E. Cramer, Ph.D. of the Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Jason S. Kalirai, Ph.D., JWST Project Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute. Recipients of the OYE award are Frank W. DelRio, Ph.D., of the Materials Measurement Science Division at NIST and Christopher M. Jewell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering at University of Maryland, College Park.

The awards recognize Maryland residents who have distinguished themselves early in their careers for accomplishments in science and engineering. Award recipients are chosen by members of the Maryland Academy of Sciences' Scientific Advisory Council, which provides expertise and content review to the Maryland Science Center.

Outstanding Young Scientist Recipients:
Dr. Cramer has played an important role in establishing an accurate and continuous climate data record by helping scientists fix their measurements to the optical radiation from the Moon. Her work improves the calibration and characterization of astronomical optical instruments and deploys these methods at observatories.

Dr. Kalirai's research in the study of stellar populations has yielded important insights into the ages of stars in the Milky Way. These efforts increase students' scientific interest and keep the public aware of the scientific advances achieved through the funding of academic research.

Outstanding Young Engineer Recipients:
Dr. DelRio has advanced both measurement science and technology, and materials science and engineering, through innovations in scanning probe measurement techniques and mechanical and electrical analyses.

Dr. Jewell has had substantial impact on the biomaterials field by designing new therapeutic platforms and developing new vaccine and immunotherapy technologies.

About the Maryland Science Center
Named one of Parents Magazine's Top 10 Science Centers in America, the Maryland Science Center makes science understandable and fun for more than 500,000 visitors a year with interactive exhibits, traveling exhibitions, presentations in the Davis Planetarium, movies in the St. John Properties IMAX Theater, and hundreds of hands-on programs delivered throughout the state each year. For information, www.marylandsciencecenter.org

SOURCE Maryland Science Center