Dr. Wadsworth, who will begin his duties on August 1, joins ORNL after years of distinguished service as a senior leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as well as service at Battelle's world headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, as a senior executive in areas such as DOE science programs, technology transfer and homeland security.
"We are absolutely delighted to attract a leader of Jeff Wadsworth's caliber to ORNL," said Dr. John Shumaker, University of Tennessee President and UT-Battelle Vice Chair, and Dr. Carl Kohrt, Battelle President and CEO and UT-Battelle Chair, in a joint statement. "He is a world-class scientist and leader for a world-class laboratory. Jeff's experience in the national lab system, R&D, materials science, technology transfer and national security will be a great match for ORNL."
"Jeff is an internationally respected scientist, outstanding leader, and innovator in such fields as materials science and homeland security," said Dr. Raymond L. Orbach, Director of DOE's Office of Science. "He is a superb choice for ORNL, the local community and the nation."
During his career, Wadsworth has served as Deputy Director for Science and Technology at Lawrence Livermore, as well as Associate Director for Chemistry and Materials Science at that laboratory. He later joined Battelle as a senior executive in Columbus, where he focused on DOE science programs, technology transfer and homeland security.
Wadsworth holds B.S., Ph.D., and D. Met. degrees in metallurgy. In 1987, he was elected a Fellow of the American Society for Metals, and in 2000 a Fellow of the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society. Most recently, in 2003, he was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for "distinguished contributions in developing advanced materials and superplasticity, and in determining the history and origins of Damascus and other steels, and for broad scientific leadership supporting national security."
Wadsworth succeeds Dr. William J. Madia, who served as ORNL Director for the past four years and was named in April to be Executive Vice President for Laboratory Operations at Battelle headquarters in Columbus.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy's Office of Science.