PECASE Nomination

The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers [1]. The PECASE Awards are intended to recognize some of the finest scientists and engineers, early in their research careers, which show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge in the twenty-first century [1].

Based on Dr. Robert Hernandez's research into volitional artificial leg control via ubiquitous low power computer architectures, two decades of US Naval Systems engineering services, and his community service targeting low income inner city children, the US Navy nominated him for the PECASE award.

As of February 2019, Dr. Hernandez's nomination is still under consideration for this award. He understands that due to the competitive nature of this award, it is unlikely that he will receive it. Although that is well understood, who would have ever thought that a low income inner city child, born to farmers from Puerto Rico, would have ever been considered for such a prestigious honor? He hopes that his nomination for the PECASE Award and other awards that have been bestowed upon him will influence others to strive for similar achievements.

[1] Science.energy.gov. (2019). Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) | U.S. DOE Office of Science (SC). [online] Available at: https://science.energy.gov/about/honors-and-awards/pecase/ [Accessed 11 Feb. 2019].