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Singh honored as ORNL's 2008 top scientist

November 17, 2008 — David Singh of the Materials Science and Technology Division in the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory earned the UT-Battelle Director's Award for Outstanding Individual Accomplishment in Science and Technology during UT-Battelle's Awards Night held Friday at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Singh, who has been with ORNL since 2004 and has authored more than 280 papers during his career, was honored for his sustained pioneering work on the development of methods of electronic structure. This work paves the way for critical applications in the research of condensed matter physics and materials science and related areas.

ORNL Director Thom Mason said Singh has reached new heights in research during his four-year career at ORNL.

"His work has helped pave the way for a new and better understanding of the study of many facets of condensed matter physics and their applications to many related areas of science that may lead to many future scientific breakthroughs," Mason said.

Mike Pierce of the Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities Division earned the Director's Award for Outstanding Individual Accomplishment in Laboratory Operations for his efforts to assure ORNL's nuclear facilities will be available to support the laboratory's nuclear research and development mission.

As a facility manager, Pierce has overseen a transition of facility operations that enabled the facilities to continue operating safely and in compliance with all regulations while running efficiently and at below budget costs.

Mark Dobbs of ORNL's Information Services Technology Division earned the Director's Award for Outstanding Individual Accomplishment in Community Service for his long history of traveling with organizations locally and worldwide to provide humanitarian services.

These services include helping to provide medical needs following natural disasters and participating with groups involved in international multicultural musical exchange programs. He also has volunteered locally to assist many youth, church and community activities.

UT-Battelle's Director's Award for Outstanding Team Accomplishment was presented to a group headed by Gary Bell of the Materials Science and Technology Division for its contributions to significantly advance ORNL's and the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle research capabilities.

The project was successful in spite of hurdles in the areas of operations and budget. In spite of those challenges, the ORNL team remained focused on moving the program forward to provide the critical scientific and technical base required of a successful national nuclear fuel cycle program.

The team was composed of staff from the Materials Science and Technology Division, the Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities Division and the Nuclear Science and Technology Division.

Team members joining Bell are Dale Caquelin, Guillermo Daniel Del Cul, Robert Jubin, Steve Owens, Barry Spencer, Raymond Vedder and Elisabeth Walker.

ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy.