Obama recognizes young Boston researchers for contributions

By Chelsea Conaboy, Globe Staff

President Obama today recognized 94 researchers with the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. The list included at least 11 from Massachusetts. Federal departments and agencies nominate the scientists.

“It is inspiring to see the innovative work being done by these scientists and engineers as they ramp up their careers -- careers that I know will be not only personally rewarding but also invaluable to the nation,” President Obama said in a press release. “That so many of them are also devoting time to mentoring and other forms of community service speaks volumes about their potential for leadership, not only as scientists but as model citizens.”

Below are the Massachusetts winners of the award, which was created by President Clinton in 1996. See the full list online.:

Department of Defense

Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dr. Tomas A. Palacios, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. David T. Breault, Children’s Hospital Boston

Dr. John S. Brownstein, Children’s Hospital Boston

Dr. Chyke A. Doubeni, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Dr. Jose C. Florez, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute

Dr. W. Nicholas Haining, Harvard Medical School

Department of Veterans Affairs:

Dr. B. Price Kerfoot, Veterans Health Administration and Harvard Medical School

National Science Foundation:

Dr. Hatice Altug, Boston University

Dr. Tina A. Grotzer, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Smithsonian:

Dr. Justin C. Kasper, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory