Florida State University Associate Professor of Special Education Jenny Root has been selected as one of about 400 scientists and engineers to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), announced this week by the White House.
The PECASE award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Root is one of 10 U.S. Department of Education recipients selected by President Joe Biden and only the third faculty member from FSU to ever receive the award.
“Dr. Root’s selection for the Presidential Early Career Award for scientists and engineers is a testament to her groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment to improving education for all students,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This prestigious recognition highlights the profound impact of her work and brings great distinction to Florida State University. We look forward to the continued contributions she will make in her field.”
Root, a faculty member in the School of Teacher Education at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, focuses her research on instructional methods to promote academic learning for students with autism and intellectual disability.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the PECASE award,” Root said. “This recognition validates the importance of research that challenges ableist assumptions and uses evidence-based practices to redefine the norm in mathematics education for students with autism and intellectual disability.”
Root is also an affiliate faculty member with the Florida Center for Reading Research and a board-certified behavior analyst. She serves as a mentor for the next generation of education scientists and works closely with undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students.
She began as an assistant professor at FSU in 2016 and has received several honors, including the FSU Graduate Teaching Award in 2023. She has taught nearly 30 courses and helped write more than 60 journal articles and books.
“I want to offer sincere congratulations to Dr. Root on this monumental accomplishment,” said Damon Andrew, dean of Anne’s College. “She is an outstanding researcher and faculty member, and this recognition is an absolute testament to her talent and impact on the field of special education. Anne’s College is fortunate to call her one of our own.”
Established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, PECASE recognizes scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers. The award recognizes innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology, expands awareness of careers in science and engineering, recognizes the scientific missions of participating agencies, enhances connections between research and impacts on society, and highlights the importance of science and technology for our nation’s future.
This year’s awardees are employed or funded by 14 participating agencies within the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Interior, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency, the intelligence community, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Renamed in honor of celebrated alumna Anne Spencer Daves, Anne’s College offers a unique combination of global-class academics and a close-knit, student-focused community for an exceptional educational experience. Ranked the best education-related college in Florida, Anne’s College is home to six departments spanning a variety of subjects. From teacher education and sport psychology to exercise physiology and food science, students gain the skills they need for rewarding careers in some of the most important industries around.
Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR)
Established in 2002 by the Governor’s office and Legislature, the FCRR houses several tenure-track faculty members who hold joint appointments with other colleges at FSU. The center’s research goes beyond just reading, as it studies language and literacy, genes and the brain, instruction and assessment as well as dyslexia and other disabilities.
FCRR has a wide range of research grants, contracts and projects in its portfolio. The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southeast is an institute that works in partnership with practitioners to conduct applied research and training to support a more evidence-based education system. Its impact is felt statewide with FCRR research and professional learning occurring in every county across Florida.