UChicago Argonne, LLC Board of Governors for Argonne honors 20 employees
and 2 children of employees
ARGONNE, Ill. (June 28, 2007) – The UChicago Argonne, LLC Board of Governors
for Argonne National Laboratory today honored 20 Argonne employees and two
children of Argonne employees at its 2007 awards program.
Distinguished Performance Awards recognize outstanding scientific or technical
achievements, or a distinguished record of achievement of select Argonne employees.
Honorees are Michael Borland, K. Ernst Rehm, Michael Q. Wang and Linda Young.
- Michael Borland has been involved in software development for accelerator
design, simulation, commissioning and operation for nearly 20 years, with
15 of those years spent at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). In that time,
his code “Elegant” has become a standard tool for those working on next-generation
light source development. The Self-Describing Data Sets (SDDS) Concept
Borland originated has greatly facilitated both simulation development and
creation of specific complex simulations, including comprehensive multi-code
simulations that bridge the gap between accelerator physics and X-ray generation.
In addition, SDDS forms an essential part of the APS control system where,
together with other software developed by Borland and his team, it helps
to deliver on the promise predicted by the simulations. Borland's work in
the development and implementation of computer software for accelerator research
is recognized internationally and represents groundbreaking achievements
in the field of the computational accelerator physics.
- Experimental physicist Ernst Rehm has done pioneering work in both nuclear
astrophysics and reaction studies. He has established a major new thrust
in experimental physics at the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS),
addressing the processes that form the chemical elements in hot stars and
produce energy in stars and our sun. Rehm has led an experimental program
that has brought Argonne to the fore in nuclear astrophysics experiments.
Over the last 10 years, Rehm has developed a method based on the ATLAS accelerator
in which exotic nuclei are produced as secondary beams, and then manipulated
to have the well-defined energies that are required for the measurements.
This method has been successfully applied to several of the key questions
in this area; results obtained represent an important contribution to this
field of science. The techniques also have led to new research opportunities
at ATLAS beyond astrophysical applications in nuclear structure and reaction
dynamics, and are being widely copied elsewhere. Rehm's pioneering work has
set the stage for the development of the Argonne concept for a next-generation
exotic beam facility.
- Over the past 15 years, Michael Wang has developed the most widely respected
and broadly used transportation energy emissions lifecycle model in the
world. The GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in
Transportation) model allows users to readily evaluate and compare the energy
and environmental benefits of advanced vehicle technologies and new transportation
fuels. Wang's expertise and his use of the GREET model has had a dramatic
and positive impact on both the public and private sectors in the recent
high-profile debate on corn-based ethanol. The model has become the “gold
standard” for
well-to-wheel analyses of vehicle-fuel systems. Wang's rigorous methodology,
uncompromising integrity and attention to detail have made him the world's
most sought-after expert on transportation fuels pathways. Because of his
work, Argonne is viewed as the source for the most definitive data on total
energy cycle analysis in the transportation sector.
- Linda Young has been a leading member of the atomic physics community
for the last 15 years and has emerged as a leader in the international field
of synchrotron radiation. She has become widely recognized for her techniques
ranging from laser spectroscopy to atom trapping and beam manipulation
to the development of ultra-sensitive and accurate methods of determining
lifetimes, isotope abundances and cross sections. Young's career at Argonne
has covered several subfields of physics, including X-ray interactions with
atoms and molecules, ultrasensitive detection techniques using atom traps,
precision measurements of atomic structure and the development of optically
pumped sources of polarized hydrogen and deuterium. These research topics
were carefully chosen opportunities, based upon resources unique to Argonne,
where atomic physics could play a critical, sometimes breakthrough, role
to synergistically enhance other fields of science — such as nuclear physics,
studies of fundamental symmetries and geochronology. As group leader of the
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics group in the Chemistry Division, she
has guided her group to an outstanding record of accomplishments.
Outstanding service
Outstanding Service Awards, the highest honor the UChicago Argonne, LLC gives
to Argonne employees in support positions, will be awarded to Dick Konecny,
Joyce Leggett, Rick Putnam and Cindy Wilkinson.
- Dick Konecny is honored for his invaluable contributions to the Argonne
Wakefield Accelerator group of the High Energy Physics Division. His contributions
to the research program are broad and encompass the design, fabrication
and assembly of electron beam diagnostics, beamline vacuum components and
a wide variety of electronics circuits. Konecny plays a fundamental role
not only in the research program carried out at Argonne, but also in the
collaborative projects pursued by the group at other institutions. He is
involved in the design, fabrication and installation of prototype Wakefield
accelerating structures at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.,
the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in California and recent projects
at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. As he approaches his 45th
year of service at Argonne, Konecny has been an indispensable part of the
laboratory and the High Energy Physics Division through his considerable
contributions, generosity to team members, openness to new technologies,
hard work and dedication.
- Joyce Leggett has made numerous and significant contributions to nuclear
energy research and development, nuclear and accelerator operational safety,
and the maintenance of comprehensive laboratory environment, safety and
health (ES&H) records over her 46 years of employment at Argonne. The
reliability of the laboratory's nuclear, accelerator, external and independent
assessments, investigations and other ES&H records that Leggett maintains
is legendary. During the transition of Argonne-West to the Idaho National
Laboratory, the nuclear records maintained by Leggett over the years were
pivotal in assuring transfer of an important base of knowledge. For many
years, Leggett provided support to the laboratory director's numerous safety
committees. She continues to serve the laboratory's Accelerator Safety Committee
and provides assistance to the newly formed Nuclear Operations Division.
- Rick Putnam started his employment at Argonne 43 years ago as a technician
with the Zero Gradient Synchrotron, where he developed an expertise in
magnets that included inflow, hydrostatic and electrical testing, along with
potting coils. Many of the vacuum impregnation of epoxy procedures used on
coils for magnets were developed and perfected at the Zero Gradient Synchrotron
with Putnam's input, and are still used today at other facilities. When IPNS
was in its early stages, he built magnets using the same techniques, and
his input was used on all the electronic instrumentation and interlocks used
for operation of the ALEX and FELIX magnets. After joining the APS magnet
group in 1989, he developed and managed a quality control system that his
team used for all electrical, hydrostatic and flow tests on more than 2,000
magnets. These magnets have been operating for 13 years with little trouble,
helping to maintain beam reliability at 95 percent and better. Putnam has
earned the respect of everyone who works with him. His knowledge and experience
continue to have a positive impact on the APS.
- Cindy Wilkinson's efforts at Argonne over the past 29 years have contributed
greatly to the laboratory's positive relationship with its surrounding
communities. She has managed Argonne's open houses for years with tremendous
success. Most recently, she oversaw the 2006 open house celebrating Argonne's
60th Anniversary, coordinating the activities of more than 100 Argonne volunteers
in planning, organizing and implementing the event. Approximately 20,000
people attended this event and learned about Argonne's research and community
service activities. She also managed Argonne's presence at the Illinois State
Fair on three separate occasions. Wilkinson was the Argonne lead coordinator
President George Bush's visit to Argonne in 2002 ? the first and only presidential
visit in the laboratory's history. With one week's notice, Wilkinson organized
Argonne participants, prepared and staged locations for the presidential
visit, coordinated efforts with DOE, the Secret Service and the president's
advance team, and managed displays and presentations from Argonne and other
national laboratory scientists who met with the president during his visit.
Wilkinson also led the successful organization of the Community Leaders Round
Table, which has been repeatedly cited by DOE as the most commendable community
effort in the DOE system.
New award
The University of Chicago has added a new award to its program this year,
the Pinnacle of Education Award, the first of which will be awarded to Marion
C. Thurnauer of Argonne's Chemistry Division. This award was created to recognize
an individual for leadership in science through the Argonne Division of Educational
Programs.
Thurnauer is an inspirational leader not only in chemistry and photosynthesis,
but also through her promotion of diversity at the laboratory through educational
programs. Thurnauer founded the Science Careers in Search of Women conference
and was instrumental in the formation of Women in Science and Technology, which
she chaired for more than four years. She has been a mentor to many young scientists
on both a formal and informal level. She was on the nominating committee for
the Maria Goeppert Mayer Scholar program and numerous other Argonne advisory
committees. This past year, the laboratory hosted the 20th Science Careers
in Search of Women Conference. Argonne was awarded a Department of Energy Diversity
Award in 2006 for the conference, which has influenced the future of nearly
10,000 young women over the past two decades.
Each Distinguished Performance, Outstanding Service and the Pinnacle of Education
Award winner will be presented with an award and a check for $3,500.
Scholarships
University of Chicago undergraduate scholarships will be awarded to:
- Vuk Brajuskovic, a graduate of Naperville North High School and son of
Bransilav Brajuskovic and Tijana Rajh.
- Ekaterina Koshelev, daughter of Argonne's Alexei Koshelev and Irina Koshelev
of the university's Center for Advanced Radiation Sources at Argonne.
Ekaterina is a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville.
The scholarship covers the students' first year of undergraduate tuition and
is automatically renewed for the following three years, as long as the recipient
remains a full-time student in good academic standing.
Argonne National Laboratory brings
the world's brightest scientists and engineers together to find exciting and
creative new solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology.
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic
and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne
researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities,
and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific
problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for
a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed
by UChicago
Argonne, LLC for
the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
For more information, please
contact Eleanor Taylor (630/252-5510 or media@anl.gov)
at Argonne.
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