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AT A WHITE HOUSE ceremony in November, Lisa Zurk received the nation's highest honor for professionals at the outset to their academic careers—a 2006 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Zurk, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, is one of two Oregonians to receive the award this year, and the second professor from PSU to receive it.

In only three years at Portland State, Zurk (pictured at left with a student) has earned more than $2 million in research funding, spearheaded a record number of collaborations, and founded the Northwest Electromagnetic and Acoustics Research Laboratory.

Zurk's research involves sensors and their applications, including the development of advanced sonar systems for the U.S. Navy as well as the mapping of coral reefs and the estimating of salmon populations. She's also researching terahertz imaging for medical applications, such as the detection of skin cancer, and for security uses, including the detection of explosive devices and bio-agents.

This year, she begins a five-year, $500,000 research initiative with The Nature Conservancy to assist in its worldwide marine conservation efforts.