Brian Anderson, GE Plastics Material Engineering Professor of Chemical Engineering at West Virginia University, has been selected as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Anderson was nominated for the award by the Department of Energy, one of 13 federal departments and agencies that join together annually to nominate the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America’s preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies’ missions.

“I am truly honored to be chosen for the PECASE and to represent WVU and the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources,” said Anderson. “It is very important to me to carry on the long and distinguished legacy of energy research at WVU. As both a graduate of the Statler College as an undergrad and now as a faculty member, I am excited to be able to bring this award back to my alma mater. I am also very grateful for the ability to work with the researchers at National Energy Technology Laboratory and for the nomination.”

Anderson has conducted extensive research in the areas of natural gas hydrates, thermodynamic modeling and sustainable energy and development in the area of geothermal systems. He was the recipient of the 2011 DOE Secretary’s Honor Award for his work in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and was selected to the National Academy of Engineering’s 2010 Frontiers of Engineering Education Workshop. Anderson was named the Statler College’s “Teacher of the Year” in 2010. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Anderson serves as coordinator of strategic research in energy for WVU’s Research Office.

“By virtue of this award, Brian Anderson has positioned himself as a rising star in the field of energy research and education,” said Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. “He will be a key player in WVU’s plans to play a leadership role in the energy arena.”

“In the short time that Brian Anderson has been on the faculty at WVU, he has made major technical advances while working closely with other universities, industrial companies and national laboratories,” said Rakesh Gupta, Professor and George and Carolyn Berry Chair of Chemical Engineering. “The Presidential Early Career Award is well-deserved recognition not only of his current contributions but also of his future potential.”

“The impressive achievements of these early-stage scientists and engineers are promising indicators of even greater successes ahead,” President Barack Obama said. “We are grateful for their commitment to generating the scientific and technical advancements that will ensure America’s global leadership for many years to come.”

A native of Ripley, W.Va., he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from WVU in 2000, and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

-WVU-

mcd/12/23/13

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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