July 16, 2019
Professor Ron Alterovitz was recognized with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government to outstanding scientists and engineers who are in the early stages of their independent research careers and who show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology. The award entitles Alterovitz to an additional $500,000 of research funding.
Recipients of the PECASE are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and for their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates the PECASE with over a dozen departments and agencies. Only around 100 recipients are named per year.
Alterovitz was named a recipient by the White House in a press release on July 2, 2019. He was nominated for the award by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which operates the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He is the only recipient named in the White House press release who is currently at UNC. Alterovitz is the ninth researcher from UNC to receive the award since its inception 23 years ago and the first recipient in computer science.
Alterovitz’s research focuses on robotics for medical applications. With support from NIH, Alterovitz and his research group are developing a new medical robot that can enable earlier, less invasive, and more accurate diagnosis of lung cancer. Lung cancer is currently the deadliest form of cancer in the United States, killing more Americans than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer combined. Alterovitz is leading a cross-disciplinary team of researchers at UNC Computer Science, the UNC School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University to create a robotic steerable needle capable of autonomously navigating to sites in the human body. The new robot has the potential to automatically curve around vasculature and other sensitive anatomical structures in the body, thereby reducing negative side effects, while safely and accurately reaching difficult-to-access nodules throughout the lung for biopsy and treatment.
The White House press release announcing winners for 2015-2017 can be found here.
Alterovitz was recognized in a ceremony organized by the White House and held at Constitution Hall in July. He was also invited to give a research talk at the headquarters of the National Institutes of Health.