Mauricio Delgado on receiving the Presidential Early Career Award

Only 85 researchers nationwide are chosen each year to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and this year Rutgers Assistant Professor Mauricio Delgado is one of the select few.  Delgado is on faculty in the Psychology Department at Rutgers University, Newark.

Mauricio writes:
On December 13, 2010, I had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting President Obama. There were 85 recipients of the Presidential Award and we were all eagerly awaiting the President's arrival. It had been a full day of ceremonies with our families and nominating scientific agencies, but at the auditorium at the White House that afternoon everyone was quite excited about the main event. The President arrived to rousing applause by the award recipients and gave a brief, yet passionate speech about science and society. He posed for the group shot and then took the time to shake everyone's hand. It was an unforgettable experience. I am very thankful for having shared it with my family as well as for all the support I have received at Rutgers.

President Barack Obama poses for a group photo with the 2009 Recipients for the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in the South Court Auditorium of the White House Dec. 13, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

(Where's Mauricio? Right behind the president, slightly to the right. Click on the photo for a larger version)

Read the full press release on Delgado's award at the Rutgers-Newark Newscenter