We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 JIFRESSE Outstanding Research Award and the Outstanding Leadership/Service Award, respectively. The award certificates will be presented during the JIFRESSE Open House, to be held in the JIFRESSE Conference Room from 11:45 AM–12:30 PM on March 17, 2026.
JIFRESSE Outstanding Research Award
This award recognizes an early-career scientist, or a group of early-career scientists, who are current JIFRESSE scientists or postdoctoral associates. It honors outstanding contributions in research, education, or societal impact in earth system science, engineering, and data sciences, achieved through collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches.
The award includes:
- A certificate
- A $1,000 monetary prize
- An announcement on the JIFRESSE website
- Recognition at the JIFRESSE Annual Open House in the year of the award presentation
Recipient: Dr. Yi-Hung Kuo, AOS & JIFRESSE, UCLA
JIFRESSE Outstanding Leadership/Service Award
This award recognizes a current JIFRESSE member, with special consideration for early-career members, for outstanding contributions that enhance JIFRESSE as a collaborative community in research, education, and the application of science and engineering for societal benefit, diversity, and inclusion.
The award includes:
- A certificate
- A $1,000 monetary prize
- An announcement on the JIFRESSE website
- Recognition at the JIFRESSE Annual Open House in the year of the award presentation
Recipient: Dr. Vicky Espinoza, JIFRESSE/JPL
Congratulations to these outstanding early-career researchers. We look forward to seeing more nominations for these awards in the future.