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CORVALLIS - Mahfuzur R. Sarker, an assistant professor of microbiology at Oregon State University, has received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

This is the highest honor bestowed by the federal government to the nation's scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent careers. It recognizes exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge.

Sarker's work on spore heat resistance was recognized as cutting-edge pathogenic microbiology that will improve our understanding in controlling and preventing the food poisoning caused by bacteria that form spores.

In 2002, Sarker's grant proposal in this field of study was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative. His proposal ranked first in the Food Safety Program of USDA-NRI, and his new Presidential Early Career Award led to the USDA grant being extended to five years.

Sarker received his doctorate from Tokushima University, Japan, in 1995 and has been on the OSU faculty since 2000.