Lee receives Presidential Early Career Award
| November 08, 2010 | |
Dr. Jessica Lee
Jessica Y. Lee, PhD, DDS, associate professor of health policy and management at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, was named by President Obama on Nov. 5 as one of 85 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Ten federal departments and agencies collectively nominate “the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America’s preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies’ missions,” according to the Office of Science and Technology Policy announcement.
“Science and technology have long been at the core of America’s economic strength and global leadership,” President Barack Obama said in the award announcement. “I am confident that these individuals, who have shown such tremendous promise so early in their careers, will go on to make breakthroughs and discoveries that will continue to move our nation forward in the years ahead.”
Lee, who is also associate professor of pediatric dentistry in the UNC School of Dentistry, is principal investigator for a $1.8 million grant addressing how the oral health literacy of caregivers and parents affects the oral health outcomes of their preschool-age children. More than 1,000 underserved families in seven North Carolina counties – Buncombe, Burke, New Hanover, Wake, Orange, Brunswick and Robeson – are being interviewed about oral health literacy and possible challenges that may prevent them from accessing oral health care.
The study, funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), is a collaboration of the UNC schools of dentistry and public health and the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. The study is believed to be the first RO1 grant on health literacy funded by the NIDCR.
Lee previously received the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s 2008 Jerome B. Miller “For the Kids” Award for her outstanding efforts directed to advancing childhood oral health and well-being.
She is a board-certified pediatric dentist with the UNC Dental Faculty Practice, is involved in teaching, clinical practice and research (both her own and mentorship of student research), and maintains several research grants. Her major research interests include health literacy, outcome assessment, cost-effectiveness investigations, access to oral health care and health disparities in young children.
Lee received Master of Public Health and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from Columbia University and a certificate in pediatric dentistry and doctorate in health policy analysis and administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
“Dr. Lee’s students and colleagues always knew that she was an extraordinary teacher and researcher,” said John W. Stamm, DDS, interim dental school dean. “But even those closest to her did not expect the recognition for this to come from the White House itself. What an honor for Dr. Lee, the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and the Department of Health Policy and Management, as well as UNC-Chapel Hill.”
“Dr. Lee’s research in the area of oral health literacy is helping unlock the complex issues surrounding barriers to oral health care in the United States,” said Tim Wright, DDS, chair of the dental school’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry. “Her work is providing fundamental information that is helping develop novel approaches directed at oral health education and accessing the oral health care system. The significance of her work is underscored by the oral health crisis in the United States, with dental caries being the most common disease of children.”
The Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President.
More information on the award and this year’s 85 recipients is available online.
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, or ramona_dubose@unc.edu. |
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