Sattelberger, who has been acting CST director for about a year, leads a recently re-organized division that supports all the Los Alamos directorates through a variety of programs in analytical, inorganic, physical, nuclear and environmental chemistry; radiochemistry; geochemistry; separations science; and nuclear physics. The division has about 350 employees.
"Al has been instrumental in helping CST undergo a smooth transition during a time of sudden, rapid change in direction and focus. His proven leadership in this and many other areas over the past several years makes him the ideal person to continue leading CST into a new era of scientific excellence," said Laboratory Director John Browne.
Sattelberger received his doctorate from Indiana University in inorganic chemistry and was a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Case Western University before joining the chemistry department faculty at the University of Michigan. He moved to Los Alamos in 1984, working as a staff member in the Isotope and Nuclear Chemistry Division. His research interests include actinide science, technetium chemistry and catalysis.
Sattelberger has held various leadership positions at Los Alamos since 1988, including deputy division leader for INC; deputy director and later director for Science and Technology Base Programs; and director for Energy Research Programs.
"I am very pleased to accept this position. CST is the finest chemistry organization within the DOE complex," said Sattelberger.
"With the recent reorganizations, the challenge before the CST management team is to redefine our role within the Laboratory, to work closely with the other directorates on mission objectives and to create new programs for the Strategic and Supporting Research Directorate. I am very optimistic about our future."
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.