WASHINGTON — Brown University physicist Anastasia Volovich, an expert in the scientific quest known as “string theory,” was at the White House yesterday to receive a special award for young scientists.

Volovich is one of 20 engineers and scientists selected by the National Science Foundation for a presidential award recognizing exceptional promise early in their careers. The award entitles her to support from the agency for five years, according to the university.

Volovich specializes in string theory and related areas in particle physics and general relativity, according to a news release from Brown. “String theory is the search for a single explanation that describes all the laws in the known universe,” says the release. “The theory’s main idea is that all matter and forces are made of tiny strands of energy that vibrate in different patterns.”

Volovich is being recognized for her work on a particular method of calculation — quantum chronodynamics — that may help scientists to detect evidence in nature that would back up the theory.

A potential milestone in the research is approaching. Next summer in Switzerland, scientists will use the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s biggest particle accelerator, to search for physical corroboration of string theory.

Volovich is also considered a promising teacher. The presidential award committee cited her work on a science Olympiad for high school students.

“Anastasia has demonstrated not only impressive skills as a physicist, but also enthusiasm and talent in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels,” said Chung-I Tan, who heads the Brown physics department.

— John E. Mulligan, Journal Washington Bureau