Michael Boyce, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, will receive a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), presented to outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers. The award is overseen by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in coordination with participating federal departments and agencies. Boyce was among four Duke University faculty members who will receive the United States government’s highest honor recognizing their early career research accomplishments and their promise for leadership in science and technology.
“I was thrilled to hear about the PCASE awards to these wonderful scholars,” said Provost Sally Kornbluth. “These awards are richly deserved testaments to their outstanding research. We are very fortunate to have them as members of our faculty.”
Boyce researches the role of protein glycosylation in mammalian cell signaling and physiology. All cells are literally covered with sugary glycans, and they play a critical role in a wide variety of cell functions. But their structural complexity has made studying them challenging, until recent advances in experimental methods paved the way for new discoveries. Because glycans are fundamental to cell structural integrity and cell signaling, Boyce’s research looks to understand cell processes that affect human health and diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes and congenital disorders.
See the entire list of Duke University honorees and read their stories at Duke Today.