Marshall Earns Prestigious Early Career (PECASE) Award

André W. Marshall, associate professor, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, is the recipient of the 2007 National Science Foundation (NSF) Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Marshall was recognized with this prestigious award for his research entitled ‘Exploring jet fragmentation and atomization for combustion and fire suppression systems’ and was honored at a White House ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on December 19, 2008.

“This is great news for the Clark School,” says Darryll J. Pines, Dean and Nariman Farvardin Professor of Engineering, “Dr. Marshall is a leader in research and education. His PECASE not only honors his excellent work as a young investigator, it also highlights the quality of our nationally recognized fire protection department and indicates the strength of the Clark School’s research program today and going forward.”

Marino di Marzo, professor and chair, department of fire protection engineering, adds, “It is a tremendous accomplishment for Dr. Marshall and a huge success for the Department of Fire Protection Engineering. This accolade will energize our ongoing strategic planning exercise and will greatly raise our expectations for future achievement.”

The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, established in 1996, honors those beginning researchers deemed to be the most promising in the nation within their fields. Eight federal agencies and departments annually nominate scientists and engineers, at the start of their careers, whose work shows the greatest promise to benefit the nominating agency's mission.

Each year NSF selects nominees for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from among the most meritorious new CAREER awardees. Selection for this award is based on two important criteria: 1) innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology that is relevant to the mission of the sponsoring organization or agency, and 2) community service demonstrated through scientific leadership, education or community outreach.

These awards foster innovative developments in science and technology, increase awareness of careers in science and engineering, give recognition to the scientific missions of the participating agencies, enhance connections between fundamental research and national goals, and highlight the importance of science and technology for the Nation’s future.

Individuals may not apply for PECASE. These awards are initiated by the participating federal agencies. At NSF, up to twenty nominees for this award are selected each year from among the PECASE-eligible CAREER awardees who are most likely to become the leaders of academic research and education in the twenty-first century. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy makes the final selection and announcement of the awardees.

Marshall was recognized for his research titled “Exploring jet fragmentation and atomization for combustion and fire suppression systems.” He uses advanced diagnostics and models to analyze and improve fire sprinkler discharge characteristics, seeking to develop better systems to save the lives of fire victims and first responders.

Marshall earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1996, and M.S. (1992) and B.S. (1991) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Marshall’s research is focused on characterizing turbulent flow transport processes in fires and flames using advanced diagnostics and models. In addition to his research activities, Marshall directs the Fire Testing and Evaluation Center (FireTEC) at the University of Maryland.

Published December 23, 2008