Assistant Professor Steven Buckley Receives ONR Young Investigator and NSF CAREER Awards

Assistant Professor Steven Buckley has recently won two awards for his research: an Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Award and a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.

For his proposal entitled "Particle and Toxic Release Inventory Diagnostics for Navy Vehicles and Operations," Dr. Buckley received one of 26 ONR Young Investigator Awards. In his research Dr. Buckley will design, validate and test a unique, compact, integrated sensor for particulate matter, toxic metals, and volatile organic species in vehicle emissions. Such measurements, made during vehicle operation, can be used to make informed decisions regarding engine choices based on performance/emission tradeoffs.

The Young Investigator Program supports basic research by exceptional faculty at U.S. universities who received a Ph.D. or equivalent degree within the preceding five years. Grants to their institutions provide up to $100,000 per year for three years; additional funds may be made available to purchase equipment related to the investigator's research. The funds may be applied to a variety of research costs, including salary, graduate student support, laboratory supplies, and operating costs. This year 191 proposals were submitted.

Dr. Buckley also received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award for his research "Investigation of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Analysis of Airborne Particulate Matter." The five-year award begins February 15 and is worth $375,000.

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that supports junior faculty within the context of their overall career development. It combines in a single program the support of research and education of the highest quality and in the broadest sense. This premier program emphasizes the importance the Foundation places on the early development of academic careers dedicated to stimulating the discovery process in which the excitement of research is enhanced by inspired teaching and enthusiastic learning.

Published February 8, 2001