Todd Toops

Todd J Toops

Distinguished R&D Scientist

Dr. Todd J. Toops joined ORNL in 2001 as a postdoctoral research associate and is currently a Distinguished R&D Staff member in ACER. He also is serving as the relationship manager for the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and has an Adjunct Faculty appointment at the University of Tennessee. His research at ORNL has covered a wide range of clean energy topics including emissions control, biofuels, fuel cells, electrolysis, and neutron imaging. 

  • 2023 DOE Vehicle Technologies Office Team Award
  • 2021 DOE Vehicle Technologies Office Team Award 
  • 2020 SAE International's Forest MacFarland Award
  • 2018 SAE International's Arch T. Colwell Merit Award
  • 2016 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Significant Event Award (SEA): Neutron imaging of fuel injectors
  • 2015 Biodiesel Researchers of the Year
  • 2014 R&D 100 award winner 
  • 2014 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Significant Event Award (SEA): Development of lubricant that meets DOE goal of 2 percent vehicle fuel economy improvement
  • 2012 Biodiesel Researchers of the Year

Todd received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1996 from the University of New Mexico and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 2001. 

Todd is the Chair of the 29th North American Catalysis Society Meeting (NAM29) to be held in 2025 in Atlanta, served as the Chair of the 8th International Conference on Environmental Catalysis (2014), and is on the Editorial Board of the scientific journal: Emissions Control Science and Technology. Additionally, he has either mentored or advised 20+ post-graduate fellows/graduate students.  

He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemical Society, and North American Catalysis Society.