Indian-origin boffin Muneesh Tewari receives Presidential Early Career Award

WASHINGTON - An Indian-origin scientist has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers - the nation’s highest honor for scientists at the beginning of their independent research careers.

Muneesh Tewari, an oncologist and cancer researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is among 85 researchers and engineers nationwide to receive the honor this year.

Selection for the award is based on two criteria: innovative research at the frontiers of sciences and technology that is relevant to the mission of the sponsoring organization or agency, and community service demonstrated through scientific leadership, education or community outreach.

The National Institutes of Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, which supports his work, nominated Tewari for the honor.

Tewari’s research focuses on molecules called microRNAs, which act like brakes on different parts of a cell, keeping genes in check. He is working to understand why the brakes sometimes fail - allowing unchecked cell growth and resulting in cancer. He is also studying microRNAs that are released from cancer cells and enter the bloodstream. His work holds promise for both treatment and early detection of a variety of cancers, including prostate, breast, lung and ovarian cancers. (ANI)