Rada Mihalcea, associate professor of computer science and engineering, is among 100 university researchers nationwide this year to earn Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor a beginning scientist or engineer can receive in the United States.

Mihalcea is the only professor at any Dallas-Fort Worth university to earn the recognition. She was honored by the White House for her groundbreaking research on understanding the meaning of text, a critical capability for many important natural language and information processing applications, and for her exemplary commitments to education and community service.

The Presidential Award program recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of science and technology. The recipients will receive their awards in the fall at a White House ceremony.

“I’m excited and honored about this award,” Mihalcea says. “Thinking back to where I started, it makes me feel that everything is possible.”

She was recommended for the award by the National Science Foundation. She received the NSF’s prestigious CAREER award last year.