Hertz Fellow, Mung Chiang, Wins $1M NSF Waterman Award; The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Salutes Achievement

LIVERMORE, Calif., March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation proudly announces that 1999 Hertz Fellow, Mung Chiang, has won the highest National Science Foundation (NSF) honor for young researchers: the $1 million Alan T. Waterman Award. Chiang, Princeton University Professor of Electrical Engineering, uses innovative mathematical analysis to simplify and strengthen the design of wireless networks. Stating that he is "deeply humbled by this prestigious honor," Chiang was cited for his fundamental contributions to the analysis, design and performance optimization of wireless networks. The Waterman Award is granted annually to an outstanding young researcher in science or engineering fields supported by the foundation. The award is open to researchers aged 35 and younger.

Chiang is both an outstanding researcher and a dedicated teacher, according to H. Vincent Poor, Dean of the Princeton School of Engineering and Applied Science. "Mung is a tremendous asset to Princeton engineering and to Princeton more broadly," said Poor. "Through his close and extensive interactions with industry, he has had a deep impact on the development of new generations of communications networks. At a relatively young age, he has already what most of us can only hope to achieve in an entire career."

Chiang is founder of Princeton's EDGE Laboratory and he praised the work of his co-researchers there. In addition to being a Hertz Fellow, Chiang is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, receiving the institute's Kiyo Tomiyasu Award in 2012. He is also the recipient of a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the NSF and Office of Naval Research award for young investigators, and a Technology Review TR35 young innovator award. Chiang joined the Princeton faculty after receiving his electrical engineering doctorate in 2003 from Stanford University.

"Dr. Mung Chiang represents the remarkable community of Hertz Fellows," stated Hertz Foundation President, Dr. Jay Davis. "We're extremely proud to witness how his career is progressing so brilliantly – and to see it receive this kind of acknowledgement."

About the Hertz Foundation

Now celebrating half a century of granting this country's most generous PhD Fellowship, the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation contributes to the scientific and engineering strength of the nation. We invest in the young applied scientists and engineers whose good character and creative spirit have the power to change the world. The Hertz Foundation provides the financial support that gives Fellows the freedom to innovate in their doctoral research. The highly competitive, annual selection process includes a comprehensive written application, four references, and two rounds of technical interviews by recognized leaders in applied science and engineering. In addition to supporting the Fellows in their graduate education, the Foundation provides unique seminars, workshops and symposia that take place away from their campus environments. These gatherings expose the in-school Fellows to national leaders and researchers. A flourishing Hertz Fellows Community collaborates across disciplines, augmenting the vibrancy of innovation. More information about the Hertz Foundation can be found at www.hertzfoundation.org. 

SOURCE The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation