Texas A&M Researcher Honored By President Bush

Texas A&M University researcher Sarah Brooks, whose research was funded by USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), received the 2006 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

“We congratulate Dr. Brooks for her accomplishments in agricultural research, which have helped agricultural producers understand and control atmospheric emissions,” said Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner. “She sets a good example not only through her research work, but also through her dedication to training and mentoring the next generation of scientists.”

CSREES nominated Brooks for her investigations into the chemical and physical properties of dust emissions from cattle feed lots and other agricultural operations. The research will improve our understanding of how concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) affect air quality and could lead to new mitigation strategies. The results from this study address a critical need for a better understanding of the air quality at CAFOs and will also be applicable to a range of other agricultural operations that influence air quality. Brooks’ research was funded by the CSREES National Research Initiative (NRI) Air Quality program.

In addition to excellence in research, Brooks extended her knowledge, expertise and skills in numerous outreach activities. Brooks will mentor both undergraduate and graduate students as part of her NRI award. She lectured on general chemistry during her academic studies at the University of Colorado and was a research mentor to National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates participants during the summer of 2001 and 2002.

PECASE nominees are selected for their innovative research, which is at the frontier of science and technology. PECASE nominees must show exceptional potential to shape the future through intellectual and inspired leadership, such as through the integration of research and education. Educational activities must reflect a spirit of community service and may include efforts to help their colleagues or the public understand the nature and implications of their scientific research.

CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.