Dr. Rupak Mahapatra, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Texas A&M University, has been recognized with a 2010 U.S. Department of Energy Early Career Research Award for his achievements and potential in high-energy particle physics research.

Mahapatra, who studies dark matter and, specifically, detection of the weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) it is believed to consist of, is among 69 early career scientists nationwide and one of four from Texas selected to receive a total of $85 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The five-year research grants, announced last week by DOE Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, are part of the DOE’s new Early Career Research Program designed to strengthen the nation’s scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during the early years of their careers — a critical stage with great impact on a scientist’s later, more formative work.

“This investment reflects the Administration’s strong commitment to creating jobs and new industries through scientific innovation,” Chu said. “Strong support of scientists in the early career years is crucial to renewing America’s scientific workforce and ensuring U.S. leadership in discovery and innovation for many years to come.”