Max Shtein *04 Ph.D. in chemical engineering is a recipient of the 2007 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the Nation’s highest honor for professionals at the outset of their independent scientific research careers. Shtein joined the faculty in Materials Science at the University of Michigan in 2004 pursuing research in thin film organic electronics. Shtein received the honor from the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy for developing novel ways to make the next generation of energy-efficient lighting devices, displays and solar cells. The key concept for which Max was recognized--fiber coated solar cells--was the topic of his second proposition for his CHE degree requirement. (see “Fiber based organic photovoltaic devices” Appl. Phys. Lett. 92 (2008) 193306).