Two faculty members from Texas A&M University’s J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Ya Wang and Dr. Justin Wilkerson, have been honored with the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
This award, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on early-career scientists and engineers, recognizes exceptional contributions to research and innovation.
Established by the White House in 1996, PECASE recognizes individuals who demonstrate the potential to push the boundaries of their fields, influence policy, and address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
Dr. Wang and Dr. Wilkerson join an elite group of nearly 400 researchers nationwide celebrated this year for their groundbreaking work. Their achievements highlight their excellence and reflect Texas A&M University’s leadership in advancing impactful research and fostering innovation.
Dr. Ya Wang, an associate professor, specializes in creating transformative technologies in nanomedicine, human sensing, and energy harvesting. Her expertise includes magnetic-plasmonic nanorobotics, semiconductor optical modulators, advanced dynamics, controls, and energy systems.
Her work creates innovative solutions for critical medical and energy challenges, from improving human health monitoring to optimizing energy use in dynamic environments.
Dr. Justin Wilkerson, an associate professor, conducts pioneering research in micromechanics, shock physics, and multiscale modeling. His expertise includes nanomaterials and multifunctional materials, plasticity, fracture and failure mechanics, impact mechanics, and planetary science.
His research seeks to uncover the fundamental principles that govern material behavior under extreme conditions, with applications in aerospace, defense, and planetary exploration.
Dr. Wang and Dr. Wilkerson’s achievements reflect the values and vision that propel Texas A&M and the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering toward a brighter, more innovative future.