Helen H. Lu

Helen H. Lu, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical engineering and assistant professor of dental and craniofacial bioengineering at Columbia University in New York, was chosen by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to be among the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) winners for 2008. This Presidential award is the nation's highest honor for scientists at the beginning of their professional careers.

Dr. Lu's work on the use of biomimetic scaffolds to promote chondrocyte-mediated regeneration of the interface between soft tissue and bone is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Her novel approach toward reestablishing bone-ligament interfaces holds great promise for addressing the pressing public health problem of anterior cruciate ligament tears.

Dr. Lu is one of 11 NIH grantees out of 100 gifted biomedical researchers to receive this honor. Since the program began in 1996, NIH has funded a total of 153 PECASE recipients. A complete list of NIH-supported PECASE recipients and program information is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/pecase.htm. Awardees will be honored by President Barak Obama at a White House Ceremony later this year.