U.S. government honors Ricker with two early career awards

Paul Ricker, Research Scientist in the Center for Astrophysical Thermonuclear Flashes, will receive two awards in recognition of his work for the National Nuclear Security Administration done under contract for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

The Executive Office of the President will honor Ricker with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Defense Programs will honor him with the Department of Energy Early Career Scientist and Engineer Award.

“Both awards recognize outstanding scientists and engineers who show excellent potential for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge during the 21st century,” said David Crandall, Assistant Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. “The Presidential Award, in particular, is the highest honor bestowed by the United States on exceptional scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.”

The award also carries with it the guarantee of an additional five years of funding for Ricker’s research supported by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

In his research, Ricker uses advanced computing methods to simulate exploding stars and other complex astrophysical phenomena. Simulating such phenomena using powerful computers advances the goals of the Stockpile Stewardship Program, a major thrust of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The program helps to safely and reliably maintain the nation’s nuclear arsenal in the absence of nuclear testing.