Christine Payne is the third faculty member to receive this honor, following Wendy Kelly and Jake Soper. Her research is entitled "Intracellular synthesis of conducting polymer nanowires for electrical stimulation and sensing," that will use cells to generate nanowires.

The YFA program provides funding, mentoring, and industry and DoD contacts to awardees early in their careers so they may develop their research ideas in the context of DoD needs. The program focuses on untenured faculty, emphasizing those without prior DARPA funding. The long-term goal of the YFA program is to develop the next generation of academic scientists, engineers and mathematicians in key disciplines who will focus a significant portion of their career on DoD and national security issues.

Congratulations, Christine!