The Physical Sciences Directorate celebrated National Postdoc Appreciation Week from Sept. 16 to Sept. 20, 2024. Credit: Clare Kennedy/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
From Sept. 16 through Sept. 20, the Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory ran a campaign in honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, an event spearheaded by the National Postdoctoral Association.
Post-doctoral researchers play an important role at lab-wide and at PSD in particular. The Chemical Sciences Division has the largest post-doctoral population at PSD, contributing 59 of the directorate's 132 post-docs.
And the division's leadership had plenty to say about this valuable group of employees. When asked for honorees, the directorate received too many suggestions to be featured on social media over the five-day event, so we're highlighting them all here on the division's webpage.
The Chemical Sciences Division's full list of honorees follow below, ordered alphabetically by last name.
Polyxeni Angelopoulou, Carbon and Composites
Angelopoulou was nominated as an honoree by Amit K. Naskar, group leader of Carbon and Composites. He praised her commitment to safety, her originality and her willingness to learn new skills.
"She is creative in polymer design via synthesis routes. We wanted to synthesize a polymer with unique branched structure. As part of that, [Angelopoulou] came out with a strategy to synthesize palm tree-like molecular architecture that we are currently evaluating," Naskar said. "She wants to see application for her materials, and to learn about polymer applications and processing she gets trained by her other colleagues. For example, she is learning 3D printing and rubber processing/rheology, so that she can test materials on her own."
Matthew Chambers, Energy Storage & Conversion
Chambers joined ORNL in 2022. He was nominated by Lei Cheng, group lead of Energy Storage & Conversion, and his co-advisor Ethan Self, R&D Associate and materials electrochemist. Self described Chambers' contributions to the team as "exceptional."
"His expertise in crystallography and inorganic chemistry has led to significant advancements in energy storage materials, including the development of a scalable synthesis route for next-generation Lithium-ion cathodes," Self said. "[Chambers'] dedication to lab safety and his commitment to mentoring and supporting his colleagues make him an invaluable member of our research community."
Prior to his time at ORNL, Chambers was in the United Kingdom, where he got an MChem degree from the University of Reading, a PhD from Durham University and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham. At the lab he studies the effect of varying the structures of precursors on inorganic synthesis and structure-property relationships of solid-state electrolytes for use in batteries. His research also focuses on combustion synthesis of DRX cathode materials.
Karen P. Cortés-Guzmán, Soft Materials and Membranes
Cortés-Guzmán, a synthetic chemist, joined ORNL in June 2023. She was nominated by Alexei Sokolov, group leader of Soft Materials and Membranes, who noted that Cortés-Guzmán was honored two months in a row as part of ORNL's Core Values Spotlight, a monthly, lab-wide recognition program.
The July 2024 honor recognized her service-oriented approach. She was described as "a role model of dedication, perseverance, passion and mentorship."
"Karen ensured that interns were well-prepared for readings and chemical mechanisms and, therefore, helped them better comprehend the chemical procedures and their research’s impact on the world," according to an internal article about the awards. "Her deep commitment to her projects and making the world a better and safer place are inspiring."
In August, Cortés-Guzmán was recognized for her commitment to laboratory safety.
Yawei Gao, Carbon and Composites
Gao joined ORNL in April 2023. Like Angelopoulou, he was nominated by his group leader, Naskar. Gao's special expertise is in polymer modeling, and Naskar said during his time at ORNL he has come up with polymer architectures that have theoretically unique properties. Naskar added that he has been impressed with Gao's dedication, willingness to collaborate and hard work.
"He knows actual synthesis can take long time, so he meets with experimental folks and seeks which one can be prepared quickly," Naskar said. "Mentoring colleagues like him is fun. Sometimes he schedules meetings during weekend, knowing that his other colleagues and I would be available then for a very uninterrupted, solid brainstorming session."
Nick Gregorich, Soft Materials and Membranes
Gregorich joined the lab in January 2024. He was nominated by his group leader, Sokolov, who highlighted Gregorich’s accomplishments as a presenter.
In late June, Gregorich tied for second place in ORNL’s annual Your Science in a Nutshell competition, in which researchers gave a three-minute research presentation to a live audience. Gregorich put his talents to the test again on July 10, when he pitched to lab leaders and Tennessee entrepreneurs at the capstone event of a pilot commercialization coaching program. Then on July 11 and July 12, Gregorich participated in the Oak Ridge Postdoctoral Association's Annual Research Symposium, where he garnered a people's choice award for best oral presentation concerning chemistry.
Sokolov noted that Gregorich also mentored a summer intern, Stephanie Cho, who took first place in ORNL's Ignite Off Contest and third at the national round.
Jordan Stanberry, Chemical & Isotopic Mass Spectrometry
Stanberry started at ORNL in February of this year. His research here focuses on developing new analytical techniques for the measurement of nanoparticles. He was nominated by Ben Manard, senior R&D staff and group leader of Chemical & Isotopic Mass Spectrometry.
"Jordan is a hardworking and curious individual," Manard said. "His analytically-driven and teamwork mindset aligns perfectly with the efforts within the group."
Prior to joining ORNL, Stanberry was at the University of Central Florida, where he did both his undergraduate and graduate studies, according to a student profile published by the school. His doctoral research focused on the environmental remediation of Technetium-99, a byproduct produced by nuclear power generation and the building and testing of nuclear weapons.
Junyan Zhang, Surface Chemistry & Catalysis Group
Zhang was suggested by Zili Wu, distinguished R&D Staff and group leader of Surface Chemistry & Catalysis.
“Junyan has a contagious love and enthusiasm for science. He takes initiative all the time, and his kindness is always present, from collaborating with his peers to influencing the research directions of the research program,” Wu said.
Zhang was part of a team that in 2021 published a paper outlining an improved process for converting ethanol into butene-rich C3+ olefins, the first step needed to make the substance into a viable biofuel for aviation. He is also listed as one of two inventors of a catalyst that offers a greener method of producing syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide used to manufacture a variety of commercial chemicals.
