URI GSO alumnus Dr. Jeffrey Book (M.S. 1998, Ph.D. 2007) has been awarded the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

As an honoree, Dr. Book traveled to Washington, D.C., in October to attend a recognition ceremony led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

As principal investigator for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) project Dynamics of the Adriatic in Real Time (DART), Dr. Book’s research has led to scientists’ improved understanding of ocean circulation in shallow, topographically complex areas and the ability to predict the environment there. His ideas for this study were the catalyst for the formation of an international scientific partnership and program (also called DART) on Adriatic and operational oceanography research together with the NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC) and 23 other institutions.

Dr. Book, who was advised by Dr. Mark Wimbush while a student at GSO, said “I am very honored to receive this award. Many scientists at NRL and around the world have been very gracious to me as a young scientist with their time and experience and I am deeply appreciative of the support and guidance that they have given me.”

For more information, please see the full press release.