Geoscience professor Catherine Snelson received the 2003 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the federal government on scientists at the outset of their careers.
The award, which is given by the Executive Office of the President of the United States, was conferred upon Snelson at a White House ceremony in September.
Snelson, whose research focuses on the geological structure and composition of the Las Vegas Valley, will also receive five years of additional funding from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Since 2002, Snelson has collaborated closely with the LLNL to assess the level of ground motion that would occur in the Las Vegas Valley if underground testing at the Nevada Test Site were to resume in the future.
"Catherine has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and technical achievement in support of the defense program mission, and the laboratory congratulates her on her award," says LLNL Director Michael Anastasio. "Her collaboration will directly impact the National Nuclear Security Administration's ability to maintain long-term readiness at the Nevada Test Site. She is a great example of the nation's best young scientists."
Snelson's research has become critical in identifying areas in the Las Vegas Valley that would be most adversely affected by seismic events. Her work has been used to better educate the public and government officials about earthquake preparedness.
According to Ronald Yasbin, dean of UNLV's College of Sciences, Snelson's applied research activities and outreach to the community are hallmarks of her young career.
"Since arriving at UNLV, Cathy has focused her important research endeavors on serving the educational and security interests of the community," Yasbin says. "She is clearly deserving of the recognition that she is now receiving." Snelson joined UNLV after earning a doctoral degree in geophysics from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2002.
More info: Catherine Snelson was featured in the fall 2003 issue of UNLV Magazine.
