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A Closer Look Briefs
Back Talk UM researcher earns highest U.S. honor for young scientists
EMLEN AT THE WHITE HOUSE
UM Researcher Earns Highest U.S. Honor for Young Scientists
by Cary Shimek
Doug Emlen’s UM research on the evolution of beetles brought him face to face with President George Bush. Emlen visited the White House to claim the 2001 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers July 12.
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| At a Washington, D.C., awards reception, UM researcher Doug Emlen (right) is congratulated by Jack Marburger, director of the federal Office of Science and Technology. In the center is Rita Colwell, director of the National Science Foundation. |
His award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. Only 20 of the awards are presented to National Science Foundation-supported researchers across the nation each year. Emlen, 34, is the first Montana researcher to receive the award.
The letter notifying Emlen of the honor read, “You are a shining example to future generations of researchers. You represent the best of the group of scientists and engineers who will be responsible for America’s 21st century greatness.”
An associate professor in UM’s Division of Biological Sciences, Emlen says of his award, “It’s amazing. To be recognized at this level of distinction for doing what I love — research and teaching — means a lot to me.”
The UM scientist earned a $650,000 Faculty Early Career Development grant from NSF last year, which made him eligible for the presidential award. The career grants encourage early development of academic careers that stimulate the discovery process through exciting research, inspired teaching and enthusiastic learning. Typically only 5 to 10 percent of career award recipients go on to earn the presidential award.
Don Christian, associate dean of biological sciences, says, “Having a UM faculty member receive this recognition underscores the world-class scientific research conducted by faculty and students here. Faculty members like Doug view their research both as a way to answer key scientific questions and to provide the best possible learning opportunities for students. We’re really excited to see his accomplishment and future recognized in this way at the national level.”
Much of Emlen’s research involves the study of evolutionary biology using a small variety of horned beetle. He has found that male beetles have tremendous diversity in the size and shape of their horns, and some invest more energy in growing their horns – relative to their size – than a bull moose does antlers.
Big-horned beetles are better fighters, which helps them get mates, but horns may grow at the expense of other body parts. Depending on the species, big horns may mean smaller eyes, wings or antennae, giving hornless beetles certain advantages.
Emlen’s beetle studies have given insight into some of biology’s most basic questions: Why is there so much diversity in life? How can there be so much diversity among closely related species or even within the same species?
Emlen has worked at UM since 1996. Before that he was a postdoctoral research fellow in the Duke University Department of Zoology. He earned his doctoral degree from the Princeton University Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in 1994. In addition to his research, he teaches UM classes on insect biology, and insect behavior and evolution. V