A Kansas University researcher is a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Award.

So-Min Cheong, an assistant professor of geography, will use the five-year, $410,000 award to further her research on how people and communities adapt to environmental change, according to a statement from KU.

The award recognizes outstanding junior faculty members who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars.

Cheong has been on the faculty at KU since 2005, serving in the geography department and in the KU Institute for Policy and Social Research.