Paola Barbara, assistant professor of physics at Georgetown, was awarded the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by the White House on Thursday.

“My research places strong emphasis on the integration of research and education,” Barbara said in a press release. “I am grateful for [the National Science Foundation’s] support, and greatly honored to receive the PECASE award.”

Barbara focuses her research on nanoscale electronics, developing new technology for potential use in biological and chemical sensors.

At Georgetown she has been active in popularizing science for non-science majors, teaching an undergraduate class called “The Way Things Work,” in addition to teaching Quantum echanics for graduate students.

The award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to scientists beginning their independent research careers. Barbara was among 20 researchers nominated by the National Science Foundation for a PECASE award, chosen out of nearly 400 junior scientists. Recipients of the reward receive money to sustain their research and education goals in their field of study.

Barbara won a grant from the National Science Foundation in 2003, making her eligible for a PECASE award. This year marks the first time in history that a majority of the National Science Foundation’s PECASE winners are women.

“These women have added to the vastly growing numbers of success stories that scientists and engineers in the academic community bring us daily,” Acting Director of the National Science Foundation Arden Bement said. “They are a source of immense pride.”

Barbara received the equivalent of a Master’s Degree in Physics in 1991 from the University of Salerno, Italy, and a Ph.D. in Physics from the Technical University of Denmark in 1995. She joined the Georgetown faculty in 2000.