ORNL campus. Image credit: Carlos Jones, ORNL
Scientists often do their most formative work at the beginning of their careers, which is one reason DOE’s Office of Science picks exceptional researchers to receive significant funding through its Early Career Research Program.
This year, three ORNL scientists made the list and will receive grants for $500,000 per year for five years to cover salary and research expenses.
“These early career researchers demonstrate the breadth of scientific inquiry at Oak Ridge,” ORNL Director Thomas Zacharia said. “They are investigating complex subjects with global impact, including comprehensive climate modeling, the search for new physics and efficient fusion energy. I look forward to seeing what these talented young scientists accomplish.”
The ORNL researchers receiving awards are:
- Peter Jiang, a polarization scientist in the Neutron Technologies Division, who was selected by the Basic Energy Sciences program for his proposal, “Realization of Full Neutron Polarization Control: Next Generation Spherical Neutron Polarimetry for Neutron Scattering.”
- Elijah Martin, a scientist in the Fusion Energy Division, who was selected by the Fusion Energy Sciences program for his proposal, “Investigation of Helicon and Lower Hybrid Wave Coupling with the Edge Plasma for Current Drive Optimization in the Tokamak Using Laser Spectroscopy.”
- Benjamin Sulman, a scientist in the Environmental Sciences Division, who was selected by the Biological and Environmental Research program for his proposal, “Simulating Estuarine Wetland Function: Nitrogen Removal, Carbon Sequestration, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes at the River-Land-Ocean Interface.”
“The Department of Energy is proud to support funding that will sustain America’s scientific workforce and create opportunities for our researchers to remain competitive on the world stage. By bolstering our commitment to the scientific community, we invest in our nation’s next generation of innovators,” DOE said in a statement.
