Alumna Tara Lovestead, who earned her PhD in chemical engineering in 2004, has won a 2016 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
A research chemist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Lovestead is one of only 105 researchers nationwide to earn the prestigious award, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Lovestead officially accepted the award from President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. in May.
“I feel it is a great honor and privilege to be included in this group of past, present and future awardees,” she said. “I feel grateful to my mentors, friends and family. Without their significant support and guidance, I would not be where I am today.”
Lovestead earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition with a minor in chemistry at Virginia Tech in 1997 before attending CU Boulder to study under Professor Chris Bowman. There she learned the importance of publishing, of incremental research, of working with others to increase output and of giving an effective presentation, she said.
“Bridging the gap between nutrition and chemical engineering wasn’t easy,” Lovestead said. “I had to take several extra classes before and during my graduate program, but a diverse background can add creativity to one’s critical thinking, which has helped me in my career.”
Lovestead’s research focuses have broadened while working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder. She studies the chemical properties of fuels to determine how subtle changes might affect the fuel’s performance and other characteristics.
She has also worked on detecting explosives for the Department of Homeland Security for anti-terrorism and border control purposes. By measuring the tiny amounts of vapor that explosives emit, Lovestead helped to develop a new way of identifying potential threats that is simpler than other techniques currently being used.
Researchers used this same method to detect food spoilage, hidden grave sites, arson fire debris and more.
Most recently, Lovestead has provided measurements to help government and industry better understand cannabis intoxication and develop a reliable breathalyzer for the drug.
“What keeps me motivated is the continuous challenge of learning and coming up with new ideas, the opportunity to work with scientists and engineers that are just starting their career and those that are more senior with 30-plus years of experience, and the chance to make a difference,” Lovestead said.
Lovestead was nominated for the award by her NIST supervisor, Tom Bruno, who leads the Experimental Properties of Fluids Group. Bruno described Lovestead’s work, which started when she joined his research team as a postdoc in 2009, as critically important and impactful.
He also noted that Lovestead serves as deputy group leader, a tribute to her leadership and professional skills.
“Tara is a careful and tenacious researcher as well as a terrific colleague,” Bruno said. “She has all the markings of a scientific leader and is a delight to work with.”