{"id":21787,"date":"2024-08-21T21:23:50","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T21:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/?page_id=21787"},"modified":"2026-10-12T18:56:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T18:56:01","slug":"early-career-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/early-career-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Career Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Active awards, July 1, 2025\u2013June 30, 2026.
*Indicates new in 2025\u20132026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSF CAREER Grants and DOE Early Career Awards<\/strong>
National Science Foundation CAREER grants are awarded only to untenured junior faculty. These grants recognize research and education \u201cof the highest quality and in the broadest sense.\u201d CAREER grants are unique in requiring a four- to five-year plan for the scientist\u2019s development as both a researcher and an educator. DOE\u2019s Early Career Research Program supports\u202fexceptional early-career researchers pursuing rigorous, mission-driven research in areas critical to America\u2019s scientific and technological leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n

A<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Aich, Nirupam<\/h3>

Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: 3D Printed Carbon-Metal Nanohybrid Aerogels for Highly Efficient Adsorptive\/Catalytic Removal of PFASs<\/p>

$499,627<\/span>NSF<\/span>01\/01\/2023 - 06\/30\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Alexandrov, Vitali<\/h3>

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Advancing Mechanistic Understanding of Nanocrystal Dissolution in Aqueous Environments<\/p>

$603,258<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2020 - 06\/30\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

B<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Bavarian, Mona<\/h3>

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Continuous Flow Chemistry of Microelectronics Polymers via Combined Physics-based and Machine Learning Models<\/p>

$576,802<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2023 - 06\/30\/2028<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Bhardwaj, Shubhendu<\/h3>

Electrical and Computer Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Exploring Spin and Angular Momentum Waves towards Future Wireless Communication Paradigm<\/p>

$550,000<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2025 - 06\/30\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

E<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Eichhorn, Catherine<\/h3>

Chemistry<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Molecular Mechanisms of Ribonucleoprotein Assembly<\/p>

$1,048,975<\/span>NSF<\/span>01\/01\/2021 - 06\/30\/2026<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

F<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Fernandez Ballester, Lucia<\/h3>

Mechanical & Materials Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Processing of Materials to Control Micro- and Nano-Plastic Release<\/p>

$739,205<\/span>NSF<\/span>08\/01\/2025 - 07\/31\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Filina, Irina<\/h3>

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: An Integrated Geophysical Approach to Research and Education to Solve the Tectonic Puzzle of the Northern Atlantic<\/p>

$746,284<\/span>NSF<\/span>03\/01\/2023 - 02\/29\/2028<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Finch, Jenna<\/h3>

Psychology<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Self-Regulation, Mathematics Achievement, and Mathematical Attitudes during the Third-Grade Transition in High-Poverty Schools<\/p>

$974,830<\/span>NSF<\/span>08\/01\/2025 - 07\/31\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

G<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Glowacka, Katarzyna<\/h3>

Biochemistry<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Understanding Non-photochemical Quenching under Chilling in the Warm-Season C4 Grasses<\/p>

$1,375,334<\/span>NSF<\/span>03\/01\/2022 - 02\/28\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Grifo, Eloisa<\/h3>

Mathematics<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Problems in Commutative and Homological Algebra<\/p>

$443,860<\/span>NSF<\/span>08\/01\/2023 - 07\/31\/2028<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Guo, Hongzhi<\/h3>

Computing<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Long-Range Near Field Communication for Ultra-Dense Internet of Things<\/p>

$499,337<\/span>NSF<\/span>01\/01\/2023 - 06\/30\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Guo, Yinsheng<\/h3>

Chemistry<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Structural Dynamics and Optoelectronics of Anharmonic Soft Semiconductors<\/p>

$648,335<\/span>NSF<\/span>04\/01\/2024 - 03\/31\/2029<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

H<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Holland, Kathryn<\/h3>

Psychology<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: The Efficacy of Sexual Assault Mandatory Reporting Policies<\/p>

$502,113<\/span>NSF<\/span>06\/01\/2022 - 05\/31\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

I<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Iverson, Nicole<\/h3>

Biological Systems Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Extracellular Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Oxide Detection and Quantification Via Biocompatible Carbon Nanotubes<\/p>

$550,000<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2022 - 06\/30\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

J<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Jeffries, Jack<\/h3>

Mathematics<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Differential Operators and p-Derivations in Commutative Algebra<\/p>

$400,000<\/span>NSF<\/span>06\/01\/2021 - 05\/31\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

L<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Liu, Qiang<\/h3>

Computing<\/p><\/header>

*<\/span>CAREER: Trustworthy AI-Native Network Autonomy in Open Radio Access Networks<\/p>

$750,000<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2026 - 06\/30\/2031<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Louis, Joe<\/h3>

Entomology<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Deciphering Sorghum Resistance Mechanisms to Phloem-Feeding Aphids<\/p>

$1,515,525<\/span>NSF<\/span>06\/01\/2019 - 11\/30\/2025<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

M<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Markvicka, Eric<\/h3>

Mechanical & Materials Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Universal Strategy for Manufacturing Solid Particle-Incorporated Liquid Metal Mixtures<\/p>

$691,771<\/span>NSF<\/span>08\/01\/2024 - 07\/31\/2029<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

N<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Nama, Nitesh<\/h3>

Mechanical & Materials Engineering<\/p><\/header>

*<\/span>CAREER: Fluid Mechanics of Acoustically-Actuated Viscoelastic Fluids at Microscales<\/p>

$548,417<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2026 - 06\/30\/2031<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Nejati, Siamak<\/h3>

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Molecular Layer Deposition of Porous Organic Frameworks<\/p>

$593,240<\/span>NSF<\/span>08\/01\/2021 - 07\/31\/2026<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

P<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Panther, Grace<\/h3>

Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Re-Envisioning Engineering Pedagogy to Support a Range of Visuo-Spatial Skills<\/p>

$649,950<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2024 - 06\/30\/2029<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Park, Jae Sung<\/h3>

Mechanical & Materials Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Unraveling Predictive Dynamics and Multiscale Linkage in Turbulence for Flow Control<\/p>

$506,780<\/span>NSF<\/span>12\/15\/2021 - 11\/30\/2026<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Pedrigi, Ryan<\/h3>

Mechanical & Materials Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Characterizing the Mechanobiological Response of Endothelial Cells to Ultrasound<\/p>

$567,241<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2020 - 06\/30\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Pitt, Kevin<\/h3>

Special Education and Communication Disorders<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Applying Human-Technology Interfaces to Support Communication for Children<\/p>

$585,000<\/span>NSF<\/span>01\/01\/2025 - 12\/31\/2029<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

R<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Roy, Tirthankar<\/h3>

Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Characteristics of Rain-on-Snow Flooding in the Midwest<\/p>

$673,168<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2025 - 06\/30\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

S<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Saha, Rajib<\/h3>

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Dissecting a Metabolically Versatile Non-Model Bacteriums Lignin-Derived Compound Catabolism<\/p>

$767,855<\/span>NSF<\/span>06\/01\/2020 - 05\/31\/2026<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Streubel, Robert<\/h3>

Physics and Astronomy<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Short-Range Order as Design Parameter for Topological Magnetism<\/p>

$849,399<\/span>NSF<\/span>09\/01\/2025 - 08\/31\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Sukumaran, Sunil<\/h3>

Nutrition and Health Sciences<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: The Roles of Zinc in Taste Cell Regeneration and Sweet Taste Signaling<\/p>

$1,499,959<\/span>NSF<\/span>04\/01\/2025 - 03\/31\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

T<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Tannenbaum, Daniel<\/h3>

Economics<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Eviction and the Design of Policy to Avert Homelessness<\/p>

$430,587<\/span>NSF<\/span>08\/01\/2025 - 07\/31\/2030<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Turk, Judith<\/h3>

Natural Resources<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Human-induced Soil Change on the U.S. Great Plains<\/p>

$854,327<\/span>NSF<\/span>05\/01\/2024 - 04\/30\/2029<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

W<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Wang, Laura<\/h3>

Electrical and Computer Engineering\/Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience<\/p><\/header>

*<\/span>Early CAREER: Quantum Photonic-Phononic Transduction Empowered by Van der Waals Layered Crystals<\/p>

$295,206<\/span>DOE<\/span>08\/01\/2025 - 07\/31\/2026<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

<\/span>

Wittich, Christine<\/h3>

Civil and Environmental Engineering<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Integration of Agricultural Infrastructure Vulnerability and Rural Community Resilience for Multiple Hazards<\/p>

$728,114<\/span>NSF<\/span>09\/01\/2024 - 08\/31\/2029<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

Y<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Yesselman, Joseph<\/h3>

Chemistry<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Determining the Fundamental Rules of RNA Tertiary Contact Formation<\/p>

$1,235,574<\/span>NSF<\/span>06\/01\/2022 - 05\/31\/2027<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

Z<\/span><\/h2>
<\/span>

Zhang, Limei<\/h3>

Biochemistry<\/p><\/header>

CAREER: Structural and Mechanistic Studies on an Iron-Sulfur Cluster-Based Nitric Oxide Sensor<\/p>

$600,000<\/span>NSF<\/span>07\/01\/2019 - 07\/31\/2025<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div>

Active awards, July 1, 2025\u2013June 30, 2026. *Indicates new in 2025\u20132026. NSF CAREER Grants and DOE Early Career AwardsNational Science Foundation CAREER grants are awarded only to untenured junior faculty. These grants recognize research and education \u201cof the highest quality and in the broadest sense.\u201d CAREER grants are unique in requiring a four- to five-year […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21787","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21787"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56676,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21787\/revisions\/56676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/majorawards\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}