Raleigh, NC. – Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) commended two of North Carolina’s early-career researchers, Ruben Rellan-Alvarez at North Carolina State University and Daniel Scolnic at Duke University, for receiving coveted awards through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Early Career Research Program.
“Congratulations to Ruben and Daniel on this accomplishment!” said Congresswoman Ross. “I am overjoyed to represent a district and state full of such talented individuals. The academic institutions, companies, and nonprofits in the Research Triangle area form a unique ecosystem ripe for students and researchers to explore their passions and embark on their careers. It is critical we encourage and support them every step of the way. Ensuring early-career researchers have the resources they need is an investment not only in their potential to solve societal challenges, but also in the nation’s economy, STEM workforce, and global competitiveness. I commend Ruben, Daniel, and all of North Carolina’s young researchers for their hard work in their pursuits.”
Congresswoman Ross serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and is a consistent advocate for supporting early-career researchers, extending STEM education initiatives, and increasing diversity throughout STEM fields. She is a proud cosponsor of numerous bills to advance these priorities, including H.R. 144, the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act, which would establish a new fellowship program for young researchers to conduct research at the institution of their choice for 2 years; and H.R. 869, the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act of 2021, which would provide financial support for research disrupted due to the pandemic.
The Early Career Research Program, funded by DOE’s Office of Science, awards funds with the aim of supporting young researchers, growing a highly skilled STEM workforce, and advancing the nation’s research and innovation enterprises. This year, the DOE is awarding a total of $100 million in research grants to awardees from 41 universities and 11 DOE National Laboratories across 32 states.
A list of the awardees, their institutions, and titles of research projects is available on the Early Career Research Program webpage.
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