MSc and PhD graduate of Department of Biotechnology at METU Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, and Notre Dame University faculty member Pınar Zorlutuna and Ayşegül Gündüz, graduated from METU Electrical and Electronics Engineering undergraduate program, and faculty member of University of Florida; were awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by the US government.
Assoc. Prof. Pınar Zorlutuna from Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering Graduate Program at Notre Dame University, was awarded for her project aiming to develop new treatment methods thanks to vascular tissue engineering studies for heart diseases and cancer, and platforms that enable these methods to reach patients faster.
Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Gündüz from J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, received the PECASE for the development of smarter therapeutic deep brain stimulation that can adapt to the current pathological state of the brain in neuropsychiatric patients such as epilepsy, Tourette’s syndrome and Parkinson’s, and for the studies aimed at converting the information obtained from these studies into diagnostic and therapeutic tools to improve the quality of life for patients.
About PECASE
Established in 1996, The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government to outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers and who show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology.
The PECASE also acknowledges the contributions scientists and engineers have made to the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and to community service as demonstrated by scientific leadership, public education, and community outreach.
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