Foley Receives Presidential Early Career Award

Jonathan A. Foley, a UW–Madison professor of atmospheric and oceanic science and director of the Institute for Environmental Studies’ Climate, People and Environment Program, is among 60 scholars nationwide selected to receive the federal government’s highest honor for a young scientist.

The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers was established last year by President Clinton. It seeks to recognize young scientists, their scholarly achievements, and their “commitment to broader societal goals,” according to a statement from the White House.

Foley, who studies the role of the biosphere in climate and climate change, will receive up to $500,000 over five years to further his research. He will be recognized at a Nov. 3 White House ceremony.

“I am very happy to see that research on environmental issues is given this kind of recognition,” Foley said. “I think this is good sign for people in our field.”

The recipients of the award were nominated by the government agencies that support their research. Foley was one of six scientists nominated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA.

Foley joined the UW–Madison faculty in 1993 and, upon his appointment, was named the Reid Bryson Professor of Climate, People and the Environment. In his research, he is especially interested in charting the role that the biosphere – the cognomen for all the living organisms of the Earth – exerts on climate.

His studies, for example, have shown that between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago, the boreal forest s of the north extended deep into what is now tundra, resulting in less sunlight being reflected back into space and a warming of the Earth by 3 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, on average.