Chemical & Materials Sciences Division
Staff Awards & Honors
June 2008
Julia Laskin Receives Biemann Medal for Achievements in Mass Spectrometry
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory chemist Julia Laskin has received the Biemann Medal, the highest honor granted to a young scientist by the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. Laskin accepted the award at the ASMS annual conference June 3, 2008, in Denver, Colorado, where she also delivered a lecture on her research to the nearly 7,000 scientists attending the conference.
The international award recognizes Laskin's contributions to better understanding the activation, fragmentation, and deposition of large molecules when they collide with surfaces. Her research is of interest to the scientific community and directly advances Department of Energy goals to develop biomaterials and biological processes for clean energy production, as well as to create biologically inspired systems, novel catalysts, and biosensors. Other findings by Laskin and her collaborators provide fundamental insights into the analysis of complex molecules present in biofuels, petroleum, and aerosols.
"Julia is a leader whose research is expanding the frontiers of science and contributing to vital DOE missions in energy, environment and national security," Laboratory Director Mike Kluse said. "Her accomplishments exemplify the dedication and impact of our outstanding young scientists."
Laskin also received the DOE's Office of Science Early Career Scientist and Engineer and the Presidential Early Career Achievement Award in fall 2007. She joined PNNL as a postdoctoral research associate in 2000 and earned PNNL's M.T. Thomas Award for outstanding postdoctoral achievement in 2002. She is now a chief scientist.
Laskin's work is funded by DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences and takes place at DOE's Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a scientific user facility at PNNL. EMSL is one of the world's foremost resources for mass spectrometry experts and instruments.
