IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY - Key Persons
Ray, A., A. Hoover, N. Nagle, X. Chen, & G. Gresham (2013) Effect of pelleting on the recalcitrance and bioconversion of dilute-acid pretreated corn stover under low- and high-solids conditions. Biofuels, 4(3):271-284.
Santos, A. C. F. d.; Ximenes, E.; Thompson, D.; Ray, A. E.; Szeto, R.; Erk, K.; Dien, B. S.; Ladisch, M. R., Effect of using a nitrogen atmosphere on enzyme hydrolysis at high corn stover loadings in an agitated reactor. Biotechnol Progress. 2020; 36:e3059. DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3059.
Narani, A.; Konda, N. V. S. N. M.; Chen, C.-S.; Tachea, F.; Coffman, P.; Gardner, J.; Li, C.; Ray, A. E.; Hartley, D. S.; Simmons, B.; Pray, T. R.; Tanjore, D., Simultaneous application of predictive model and least cost formulation can substantially benefit biorefineries outside Corn Belt in United States: A case study in Florida. Bioresource Technology 2019, 271, 218-227. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.09.103
Wendt, L. M.; Murphy, J. A.; Smith, W. A.; Robb, T.; Reed, D. W.; Ray, A. E.; Liang, L.; He, Q.; Sun, N.; Hoover, A. N., Compatibility of high-moisture storage for biochemical conversion of corn stover: storage performance at laboratory and field scales. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology 2018, 6, 30.
Hoover, A.; Emerson, R.; Ray, A.; Stevens, D.; Morgan, S.; Cortez, M.; Kallenbach, R.; Sousek, M.; Farris, R.; Daubaras, D., Impact of drought on chemical composition and sugar yields from dilute-acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of miscanthus, a tall fescue mixture, and switchgrass. Frontiers in Energy Research 2018, 6, 54.
Wolfrum, E. J.; Nagle, N. J.; Ness, R. M.; Peterson, D. J.; Ray, A. E.; Stevens, D. M., The effect of biomass densification on structural sugar release and yield in biofuel feedstock and feedstock blends. BioEnergy Research 2017, 10 (2), 478-487.
Ray, A. E.; Hoover, A. N.; Nagle, N.; Chen, X.; Gresham, G. L., Effect of pelleting on the recalcitrance and bioconversion of dilute-acid pretreated corn stover under low-and high-solids conditions. Biofuels 2013, 4 (3), 271-284.
Allison Ray is the Research Excellence officer for Science & Technology. Ray serves as the Office of Science (SC) coordinator and chairs the SC Council at INL, ensuring integration of the laboratory's SC strategy through Laboratory-Directed Research and Development, business development, and early career outreach to promote a vibrant research culture. She also leads INL's Research Culture Initiative to amplify science and strengthen research excellence. Ray was appointed by Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer Marianne Walck to assist with various laboratory and corporate initiatives for improving research outcomes, and in executing the laboratory director's strategy to continuously improve the quality, impact and relevance of INL research.
Prior to this appointment, Ray led the Feedstock Variability Task as part of the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium funded through the Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office. In this role, she provided technical vision and leadership and managed a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers across six national laboratories in multiscale characterization of lignocellulosic biomass to explore compositional and structural attributes that impact the quality and conversion to fuel intermediates. Allison graduated with a doctorate in environmental microbiology from Idaho State University. Her dissertation focused on microbially mediated transformation of metallic contaminants for bioremediation of metals and radionuclides in subsurface environments. She also received her master's and bachelor's degrees in biological engineering from Purdue University.
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Research Scientist in Idaho National Laboratory 's Biofuels
Amber Hoover is a bioenergy research scientist in Idaho National Laboratory's Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technologies Department. She is focused on generating fuels and products from renewable biomass resources and sees her mission as part of a larger effort to develop technologies that will produce advanced biofuels from non-grain plant materials. She is a member of the Conversion Interface Performance and Characterization Project, investigating key properties of biomass materials to form a base understanding of the expected material quality and developing models that correlate conversion and biomass characteristics. She is also involved in research related to biomass densification, pelleting processes, and the effects of drought in biochemical conversion processes. She most recently co-authored an article in Bioresource Technology on pelleting processes and their effects on the physical properties and sugar yields of AFEX pre-treated corn stover.
Hoover also supports biofuels research at INL by serving as the Group Lead for the Biomass Characterization Lab. She holds a master's degree in biology from Idaho State University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Penn State University.
Education:
M.S., Biology - Idaho State University
B.S., Biology - Pennsylvania State University
Aston JE, Apel WA, Lee BD and Peyton BM. (2009)Toxicity of select organic acids to the slightly thermophilic acidophile, Acidithiobacillus caldus. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 28:279-286.
Austin Murphy began working for Idaho National Laboratory as a bioenergy research scientist in November of 2014. His research has focused on the preprocessing of biomass to be used in biofuels conversion. Projects that Austin supports involve evaluating biomass storage, developing methods to improve biomass storage performance, and characterizing the handling and flowability properties of various biomass feedstocks. Austin holds a bachelor's degree in biological engineering, with a minor in Chemistry from Utah State University. For his senior engineering research and design project he was a member of a research team developing antibiotic-surfactant combinations for antimicrobial applications. Through design iteration, he developed and built a system to continuously monitor and characterize antimicrobial efficacy. He was a finalist in the medicine category of 2013 Nano Utah, Nanotechnology Conference Poster Competition. His experience with the Idaho National Laboratory goes back to 2007, when he performed biofuels research as an intern.
B.D. Lee, D.N. Thompson, W.A. Apel, V.S. Thompson, D.W. Reed and J.A. Lacey. 2016. Transcriptional control in Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and associated genes, proteins and methods. United States Patent 9,499,824. Issued November 22.
Job Titles:
- Technician
- Laboratory Technician
Cody Scheer joined the INL's Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technologies department with an extended back ground in construction. For more than 15 years, he worked mainly as a HVAR/R service technician for various heating and refrigeration companies in both the Idaho Falls and the Boise area. He has also worked in many other fields of construction including concrete, framing, roofing, siding and sheetrock. Cody enjoys music. Most of his free time is spent either with his children or playing guitar in a local band in town. He also enjoys fishing and anything involving the outdoors.
Craig C. Conner is a field engineer at Idaho National Laboratory involved in the development and testing of full scale bioenergy equipment. He has more than 30 years' experience in the design, procurement, setup, testing and operation of equipment for nuclear processing facilities. Particular activities focus on the cooperative design, development, and the deployment of robotic and remote systems, deployment systems, and closed circuit television systems which support environmental efforts. He was a bronze winner of the George Westinghouse Signature of Excellence Award in 1990, 1991 and 1992. He studied electronic technology at Columbia-Montour Vocational Technical School, Bloomsburg, Pa.
D.N. Thompson, W.A. Apel, V.S. Thompson and T.E. Ward, 2016, "Methods of combined bioprocessing and related microorganisms, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes, and nucleic acids encoding said enzymes," Patent 9,290,784, March 22, 2016.
D.N. Thompson, W.A. Apel, V.S. Thompson and T.E. Ward. 2019. Methods of combined bioprocessing and related microorganisms, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes, and nucleicacids encoding said enzymes. United States Patent, 10,351,835 B2. Issued July 16.
The effect of inaccessible water on the estimation of microbial respiration in unsaturated soil. D.N. Thompson, K.E. Baker. Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID. (2003), INEEL/EXT-03-00663, 33 pp.
D.M. Ginosar, D.N. Thompson, R.P. Anderson, 2008, "Method for reactivating solid catalysts and a method for recycling supercritical fluids used to reactivate the solid catalysts", Patent 7,407,905, August 5, 2008.
K.S. Noah, R.L. Sayer, D.N. Thompson, 1998, "Modular bioreactor for the remediation of liquid streams and methods for using the same", Patent 5,772,887, June 30, 1998.
Post-harvest processing methods for reduction of silica and alkali metals in wheat straw. §D.N. Thompson, J.A. Lacey, P.G. Shaw. 24th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, Gatlinburg, TN, April 28 - May 1, 2002. Poster 1-30.
Depolymerization of biomass carbohydrates and lignin. §D.N. Thompson. 5th Biomass Conference of the Americas, Orlando, FL, Sept. 17-21, 2001. Invited Roundtable Panelist, Session 17, Oral presentation; Conference cancelled due to 9/11.
D.N. Thompson, W.A. Apel, V.S. Thompson, and T.E. Ward, 2014, "Methods of combined bioprocessing and related microorganisms, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes, and nucleic acids encoding said enzymes," Patent 8,691,525, April 8, 2014.
D.N. Thompson, W.A. Apel, V.S. Thompson, D.W. Reed, J.A. Lacey and E.D. Henriksen. 2018. Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic biopolymer-degrading genes and enzymes from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and related organisms, methods. United States Patent 9,896,707. Issued February 20.
Dana Scouten has joined the INL's Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technologies department. He lives in Pocatello with his wife and children. He graduated from Idaho State University in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in physical science. From there, he helped manage Thomas Farms in Malad, Idaho. Dana enjoys spending time with his wife and kids. He also loves to ride his Harley motorcycle, golf and snow machine in the winter.
Education:
B.S., Health and Kinesiology - Idaho State University
Job Titles:
- Chemical Separations Group Lead and Research Chemist
- Research
Dr. Aaron D. Wilson is a research chemist with over 20 years of experience in industry, academics, and government laboratories. As a Ph.D. graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder he worked in collaboration with researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on the thermodynamics of homogeneous electrocatalysts. He completed postdoctoral appointments at California Institute of Technology and the National Institutes of Health. As of summer 2022, Wilson's work is documented in 32 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has been awarded six patents and has seven active patent applications. His work ranges from fundamental solution theory to the design of pilot water treatment systems. He has pioneered the use of solvents and phase change materials for water treatment and other separations. This work has resulted in multiple recognitions including two R&D 100 awards and a demonstration at the White House in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Staff Scientist in the Biological Processing Group
Dr. Bradley D. Wahlen has been a staff scientist in the Biological Processing Group at Idaho National Laboratory since 2014. He holds baccalaureate and doctorate degrees in biochemistry from Idaho State University and Utah State University, respectively. Brad has a background in microbial metabolism, enzymology, biochemical characterization, mineral processing and biomass preprocessing. Brad is currently working on challenges related to algae biomass and herbaceous feedstock logistics. The algae research is focused on maintaining dry matter and quality in storage operations to overcome seasonal variations in productivity. The lignocellulosic biomass research is focused on reducing recalcitrance and costs associated with producing fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. Brad is also interested in biotechnologies to enhance water and material recovery from a variety of industrial processes.
BD Wahlen, LM Wendt, T Dempster, H Gerken, B Fornes, S Alrobaie. Screening bacterial inoculants for the optimization of wet anaerobic storage and preservation of saline microalgae biomass. Poster presentation, 8th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. June 2018.
Newby, DT, BD Wahlen*, DM Stevens, JA Lacey, MS Roni, and KG Cafferty. Demonstration and logistics analysis of low cost stabilization of algae biomass through blending with terrestrial biomass. Oral presentation (*presenter), 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels, & Bioproducts, June, 2015.
Dr. Damon Hartley works in Idaho National Laboratory's Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technology department. He most recently comes from Morgantown, WV, having completed a Ph.D. in forest resources science at West Virginia University. The topic of his dissertation research was Modeling and Optimization of Woody Biomass Supply Chains in the Northeastern United States. Prior to entering the doctorate program, Damon worked from 2005 to 2010 as an extension specialist in timber harvesting at the Ohio State University and a watershed forester for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in 2004 and 2005. He has a master's in forest products-timber harvesting from the University of Idaho (2003) and a bachelor's in wood science-forest utilization from West Virginia University (2001).
Education:
Ph.D., Forest Resource Science - West Virginia University
M.S., Forest Products-Timber Harvesting - University of Idaho
B.S., Wood Science, Forest Utilization - West Virginia University
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Distinguished Staff Engineer
Dr. David Thompson is principal investigator for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with an industry partner to develop thermoacidophilic enzymes for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals. The project is industry-funded and is an outgrowth of Idaho National Laboratory's discovery and development of Xtreme Xylanase, an extreme thermoacidophilic xylanase enzyme that was awarded a 2006 R&D 100 Award by R&D Magazine as one of the 100 most important technological innovations of 2005.
He is principal investigator for a CRADA with Washington State University, the University of California-Davis, Glatfelter Corp., Strandex Inc. and ECO:LOGIC Inc. to develop a system to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in wastewater treatment systems, utilizing pulp and paper mill effluents as the sole carbon source. He is also principal investigator for a U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program-funded project that is investigating the potential use of endoxylanase enzymes in agricultural biomass storage and queuing systems. The goal of the project is to assess potential benefits of limited degradation of the hemicellulose fraction during storage on the handling characteristics and costs and on downstream processing in a biorefinery.
He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Michigan State University (1994). His dissertation was funded by the National Science Foundation Center for Microbial Ecology. His postdoctoral fellowship, 1995-1997, was administered by Associated Western Universities, developing bioremediation technologies for acid rock drainage, volatile organic contaminants, and selenium.
Job Titles:
- Department Manager, Bioenergy Technologies
- Technologies Department Manager
Dr. Erin Searcy is currently the Bioenergy Technologies Department Manager at the Idaho National Lab. Dr. Searcy has had several roles at INL since joining in 2008, including Bioenergy Platform Analysis Lead, principle investigator on several biomass feedstock logistics and sustainability projects, and techno-economic analyst. Dr. Searcy spent almost three years supporting the Bioenergy Technologies Office in Washington, D.C., as a management and operations person employed by the INL.
After completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, Dr. Searcy worked as an environmental engineering consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, and acted as a sessional instructor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta.
Job Titles:
- Department Manager, Biological and Chemical Processing Department
- Manager of the Biological and Chemical
A.D. Wilson, F.F. Stewart, Structure-function study of tertiary amines as switchable polarity solvents, RSC Adv. 4 (2014) 11039-11049. doi:10.1039/C3RA47724J.
Dr. Frederick F. Stewart is manager of the Biological and Chemical Processing Department at the Idaho National Laboratory. He leads a team of 30 to 40 researchers in the biological and chemical sciences. In his current position, he is responsible for technical oversight of research in electrochemical processing, membranes and filtration, chemical synthesis, energy storage materials, computational methods, catalysis, supercritical fluid processing, microbiology, extremophilic organisms, and biomass processing and characterization. His research interests are membrane separations and polymer synthesis where he has been active for over 20 years. Specifically, he is published in the area of phosphazene chemistry and has established methods to functionalize these materials and form them into membranes for harsh chemical separations, such as flue gas carbon capture. He has also developed these materials as lithium battery electrolytes and electrodes. He has published > 90 journal articles, conference proceedings papers, and invited book chapters. Additionally, he has chaired the North American Membrane Society meetings in 2003 and 2013, as well as the 2012 Membranes, Materials and Processes Gordon Research Conference. He earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Montana State University. Since 1997 he has been an adjunct assistant professor of chemistry for the University of Idaho. In 2013 he was honored with an R&D 100 Award with Aaron Wilson and Mark Stone for their work in switchable polarity solvent forward osmosis.
Education:
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry - Montana State University
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory in the Biological Processing Department
- Staff Scientist
Dr. Jeff Lacey is a research scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory in the Biological Processing Department. His experience includes bioenergy research, gene expression profiling, and environmental remediation. His interests lie in feedstock valorization by characterizing the complexity of biomass and municipal solid waste (MSW) and using this information to improve the economics and performance of these feedstocks in conversion processes. His current work has focused on the development of deployable waste processing systems to produce clean, sorted, and uniform feedstocks from MSW. He is also working on biomass feedstock quality improvement through the deconstruction and separation of biomass into fractions with unique physical and chemical properties. He holds a Ph.D. in plant science from the University of Idaho (2009), a M.S. in Waste Management and Environmental Science from Idaho State University (1999), and a B.S. in Zoology from Idaho State University (1996). He has been inducted into the INL Inventor's Hall of Fame three times, in 2014, 2015, and 2017. He is an author on over 20 peer reviewed publications and is an inventor on over 40 US and international patents. He is also the co-owner of JEM Innovations, a small start-up business that specializes in additive manufacturing techniques and robotics (3D printing, laser cutting) to develop products for hunting and outdoor sports, automotive restoration, and other prototyping.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Associate Lab Director - Nuclear Science & Technology
- Associate Laboratory Director for INL 's Nuclear Science & Technology
Dr. Jess Gehin became associate laboratory director for INL's Nuclear Science & Technology (NS&T) Directorate in March 2021 after serving as chief scientist for the directorate since 2018. Over his 28-year career, he has built national strategies and priorities for nuclear energy, led complex projects and organizations, and developed strong relationships with senior leaders within INL, DOE and federal sponsors, and other laboratories, companies and universities. In support of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, he served as the national technical director for the DOE Microreactor Program. He expanded NS&T's strategic direction and helped develop and establish key projects to build advanced reactors at INL such as the Department of Defense's demonstration microreactor Project Pele, and the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) Project. Previously, he held research and leadership positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in nuclear reactor core physics, reactor core and system technologies, reactor modeling and simulation, and fuel cycle reactor applications. While at ORNL, he served as director of the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors. He earned a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from Kansas State University, and master's and doctoral degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His was an associate professor at the University of Tennessee, is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, and has authored or co-authored more than 120 refereed journal and conference articles, technical reports and conference summaries.
Job Titles:
- Staff Engineer
- Staff Engineer in Idaho National Laboratory 's Biological
Dr. John Aston is a staff engineer in Idaho National Laboratory's Biological and Chemical Processing Department. His work involves applying chemical and biochemical engineering to research that improves the physical, structural and chemical properties of biomass feedstocks for thermochemical and biochemical conversions to biofuels and biochemicals. He earned his doctorate in chemical and biological engineering from Montana State University in 2010. He received his master's from Washington State University and his bachelor's from University of Idaho. He is a member the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, chairing sessions at the organization's general meetings within the Sustainable Biorefinery Platform.
Education:
Ph.D., Chemical and Biological Engineering - Montana State University
M.S., Chemical Engineering - Washington State University
B.S., Chemical Engineering - University of Idaho
Job Titles:
- Director
- Laboratory Director
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- President
- Chief Scientist at the Materials
- Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Dr. John C. Wagner is the director of Idaho National Laboratory and president of Battelle Energy Alliance LLC. He is responsible for management and integration of a large, multipurpose laboratory that has a mission focused on nuclear energy, national and homeland security, and energy and environment science and technology. He manages this U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory of approximately 6,000 scientists, engineers and support staff members in multiple nuclear and nonnuclear experimental facilities, with an annual budget of more than $2 billion.
Wagner began serving as INL director in 2020. He has more than 25 years of experience performing research, and managing and leading research and development projects, programs and organizations.
Wagner's experience is strongly aligned with INL's programmatic portfolio. He has guided and helped implement INL's nuclear energy strategy during an innovative and exciting time at the nation's center for nuclear energy research and development. As a recognized expert in reactor and fuel cycle technologies, he is called upon frequently to advise in formulation of policies for nuclear fuel cycles and advanced reactors.
Wagner initially joined INL as chief scientist at the Materials and Fuels Complex in 2016 and served as associate laboratory director for Nuclear Science and Technology beginning in 2017. Prior to joining INL, he worked for nearly 17 years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he held several research and leadership roles in reactor and fuel cycle technologies.
Wagner is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and recipient of the 2013 E.O. Lawrence Award. He has authored or co-authored more than 170 refereed journal and conference articles, technical reports, and conference summaries. He earned a bachelor's in nuclear engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 1992, and master's and doctorate degrees from the Pennsylvania State University in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Dr. Luke Williams joined the Idaho National Laboratory in September 2014 as a research scientist in the Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technology Department. His research at the INL includes the study of both the fundamental properties of lignocellulosic biomass as well as larger scale pre-processing steps necessary for thermochemical and biochemical conversions. Additionally, he is helping develop methods for the rapid screening of blended biomass feedstocks for hydrothermal liquefaction and pyrolytic conversion processes. Williams has also aided in the development of equipment capable of performing rapid on-site analysis of baled biomass destined for conversion to fuels and chemicals using robust near-infrared spectroscopic technology.
Prior to joining the INL he received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where his research focused on catalytic reaction engineering for the production of renewable aromatic chemicals from biomass derived sugars. His undergraduate work was done at Montana State University, where he received his bachelor's of science in chemical engineering.
Education:
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering - University of Massachusetts
B.S., Chemical Engineering - Montana State University
Job Titles:
- Relationship Manager
- Research Scientist
- Senior Scientist
Dr. Lynn Wendt serves as the Laboratory Relationship Manager to the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). Dr. Wendt is also a senior research scientist in the Energy and Environment Science and Technology Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). She has served as a principal investigator for multiple projects sponsored by BETO and has contributed to strategic planning for INL's Biomass Feedstock National User Facility and associated programs. Dr. Wendt holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, a master's in biology from Idaho State University, and a Ph.D. in environmental science from the University of Idaho. Dr. Wendt is a bioenergy research expert in post-harvest physiology and chemistry of biomass storage systems and microbial systems for bioenergy feedstock supply chain processes. She has pioneered the development of biomass and algae material storage and handling systems that stabilize stored biomass materials while increasing biomass value during short- and long-term storage. Her 23 biomass-related publications and 2 patent applications are the authoritative reference on value-add biomass storage systems.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer
Dr. Marianne Walck provides strategic leadership, direction and integration for research, science and technology at Idaho National Laboratory in her roles as deputy laboratory director for Science and Technology and chief research officer. She leads INL's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program, directs the lab's interactions with the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and oversees INL's strategic interactions with universities. Walck joined INL in 2019. She has more than 30 years of DOE national laboratory leadership experience, including technical program leadership, research leadership, and line, personnel and site management. Her prior experience includes 33 years at Sandia National Laboratories, concluding as vice president for SNL's California laboratory and its Energy and Climate Program. Walck serves on the advisory board for the U.S. Women in Nuclear Executive Advisory Council. Walck was named one of the Top 100 Women in Energy by the National Diversity Council in 2021. She also serves on the Idaho Higher Education Research Council and various national laboratory technical advisory boards, is a Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Initiative ambassador, and is a past chair of the National Laboratory Chief Research Officers. She earned doctorate and master's degrees in geophysics from California Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in geology/physics from Hope College. She is a member of the American Geophysical Union, the Seismological Society of America, the Association for Women Geoscientists, Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission Council (gubernatorial appointment), the American Nuclear Society, Women in Nuclear, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Mohammad S. Roni - "Roni" to his friends and colleagues Operations Research Lead of Idaho National Laboratory's Software and Data Sciences department. In this position, he serves as principal investigator and technical lead on research projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He is developing complex optimization models and algorithms applied to supply chain network analysis, resiliency optimization, transportation and infrastructure planning, and process control and design. Currently he is leading software development projects that utilizes operations research method and technology. To develop analytics solutions/software he has applied a wide range of expertise in optimization theory such as discrete optimization, stochastic optimization, bi-level optimization, decomposition method, meta heuristics, and non-convex optimization. He earned his master's and doctorate in industrial and systems engineering (operations research concentration) from Mississippi State University. He earned his bachelor's in industrial production engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. He started at INL in 2014 as a post-doctoral research studying modeling and simulation. He is actively engaged in mentoring junior staff members, post-doctoral candidates and interns. He has published more than 21 peer reviewed journal articles, and one book chapter, and delivered numerous technical reports. He is also a member of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Job Titles:
- Associate Lab Director - Advanced Test Reactor
Dr. Sean O'Kelly has more than 40 years of nuclear reactor experience. He served as deputy director at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Center for Neutron Research. He also served as chief of Reactor Operations and Engineering at NIST and was responsible for the direction and management of reactor operations, maintenance and engineering for the NIST 20 MW test reactor. He has worked as a nuclear engineer at NIST and as a manager and reactor operator at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin research reactors. He served in the U.S. Navy in Idaho as a prototype instructor and reactor operator and on the USS Benjamin Franklin as a reactor operator. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a master's degree in industrial engineering and bachelor's degree in physics from Texas A&M University. He also serves as chairman of the IAEA Technical Working Group on Research Reactors.
Job Titles:
- Associate Lab Director - Energy & Environment S & T
- Associate Laboratory Director for Energy
Dr. Todd Combs became associate laboratory director for Energy and Environment Science & Technology (EES&T) in May 2017. His research has included energy systems modeling and analysis for DOE, most recently related to critical materials supply chains; as well as the application of modeling and simulation to national and homeland security issues for DHS and the Department of Defense. Formerly the director of the Global Security Sciences Division at Argonne National Laboratory, he led a multidisciplinary research team of over 200 that found solutions to protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from a wide spectrum of national and global security threats. He served 14 months as Argonne's interim associate laboratory director for Energy and Global Security. Earlier, he managed Argonne's advanced grid modeling program for DOE, and Argonne's relationship with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he was an operations research scientist and served as group leader of the Transportation Planning and Decision Science group. He earned a doctorate in operations research and master's degree in operations analysis from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Job Titles:
- Distinguished Staff Engineer
Dr. Vicki Thompson is a Distinguished Staff Engineer in the Idaho National Laboratory's Biological and Chemical Processing department. She has been with the INL since 1996. She obtained her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa and her doctorate from Michigan State University. Her research interests include environmental bioremediation, development of novel forensic tests, use of extremophilic micro-organisms and proteins derived from those organisms for industrial applications such as waste water treatment, biocatalysis, production of fuels and chemicals from biomass and enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose. Her most recent research has focused on characterization of waste feedstocks such as municipal solid waste, agricultural wastes, food processing wastes and industrial wastes. These feedstocks cost less than traditional biomass feedstock and offer a way to reduce feedstock costs and enable the development of biorefineries.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Department Manager, Chemical and Radiation Measurements
- Manager of the Chemical and Radiation
Dr. William F. Bauer is manager of the Chemical and Radiation Measurements Department at Idaho National Laboratory. The department is comprised of 28 staff members of all experience and education levels from doctorate to technician. It is responsible for conducting basic research, applied research, method development and routine work in the areas of environmental chemistry, radioanalytical chemistry, gamma spectroscopy, molecular spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, isotope ratio measurements and other general analytical support for research and operational activities at the INL. Bauer earned his doctorate in analytical chemistry at University of Idaho. He holds bachelor's degrees in biology and chemistry from Chardron State College.
Education:
Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry - University of Idaho
B.A., Biology and Chemistry - Chadron State University
W.F. Bauer, C.A. Crowder, R.E. Evans, and T. Dunder, "Assessment of the Performance of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Waste Drum Headspace", Proceedings of The 15th Annual Waste Testing and Quality Assurance Symposium, Arlington, VA, July 18-22, 1999, 15-20. (see also http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/test/pdfs/final99.
Job Titles:
- Lab Space Coordinator
- Space Coordinator
Steven "Eric" Egan joined the Idaho National Laboratory's Energy Storage & Transportation department as a test engineer technician in the battery lab. His previous work experience has been with KIFI Channel 8 in Idaho Falls, Scientech, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, AMET, Argonne and MFC. His most recent experience has been in support of the Portable Demonstration Unit for the Bioenergy group. Eric has an associate's of applied science degree in electronics from Eastern Idaho Technical College and is enrolled in a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology from the University of Idaho.
Education:
B.S., Industrial Technology - University of Idaho
A.A.S., Electronic Service Technician - Eastern Idaho Technical College
Eric P. FIllerup earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from University of Utah and afterward attended graduate school at Pennsylvania State University. As a graduate research associate at Penn State, he was part of a team conducting research to resolve concerns hindering industrial application of materials for carbon dioxide capture. His contributions primarily involved altering the structure of the amine-based solid sorbents and determining the impact on sorbent stability, structure, capacity and kinetics. He had two invited poster presentations at US-DOE Carbon Capture Conference. In the course of the work he also supervised three undergraduate researchers.
Education:
B.S., Chemistry - University of Utah
A.S., Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics - Northwest College
Job Titles:
- Public Finance Award, Department of Economics, University of New Mexico, May ( 2008, 2007, 2006 )
Newby, D.T., Wahlen, B.D., Stevens, D.M., Lacey, J.A., Roni, M.S., Cafferty, K.G., 2015. Demonstration and logistics analysis of low cost stabilization of algae biomass through blending with terrestrial biomass. Poster presentation at 2015 Algal Biomass, Biofuels, and Bioproducts meeting in San Diego, CA, June 7-8, 2015.
Lacey, J.A., Emerson, R.M., Thompson, D.N., 2014. Utilization of mechanical separations to reduce the cost of ash removal in corn stover for the feedstock supply chain. Poster presentation at the 36th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, April 28-May 1, 2014, Clearwater Beach, FL.
Job Titles:
- Director of Program Development
- Director, EERE Program
- Director, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Office Program ( EERE )
Dr. Richard Hess is the director of program development for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Energy & Environment Science & Technology (EEST) Directorate. He oversees and leads the development of top-level EEST strategic planning and customer relations for the DOE-EERE and FE offices, ensuring high impact, integrated, and objective-driven science and engineering programs at INL. Richard also coordinates EEST work with DOE-NE; NNSA; OE; CESAR offices, DoD, and DHS.
Richard has 12 years of management experience at INL. He manages EEST directorate relationship managers, was director of the Energy Systems and Technologies Division, which division addressed critical national energy challenges in biofuels/bioenergy, renewable electrical systems/grid, and hybrid renewable-nuclear systems. Richard was also manager of the Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technology Department, which grew to become two departments.
Richard's technical background is in bioenergy, with a focus on developing fungible conversion-ready feedstocks from biomass and recycled resources. Richard led the development of the INL feedstock preprocessing and logistics program from a collection of competitive projects to a stable program that created a DOE feedstock preprocessing pilot development unit, constructed a laboratory facility to house the program, and supports a staff of over 50 scientists and engineers.
Richard served as a Congressional Science Fellow in the Washington, D.C. Office of Senator Thomas Daschel (South Dakota), as an International Energy Agency Bioenergy Team Leader, and other professional and community service positions. As the father of a multi-racial adopted family, he is passionate about diversity.
Education:
Ph.D., Plant Science - Utah State University
M.S., Botany - Brigham Young University
B.S., Botany - Brigham Young University
Wendt, L.M., J.A. Murphy, W.A. Smith, T. Robb, D.W. Reed, A.E. Ray, L. Liang, Q. He, N. Sun, A.N. Hoover, Q. Nyugen. 2018. Compatibility of high-moisture storage for biochemical conversion of corn stover: storage performance at laboratory and field scales, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00030.
Job Titles:
- Economist
- Research Economist, Modeling and Simulation
Hansen, J. (2018). Quantifying cost risk in the biofuel supply chain due to feedstock logistics. Presented at Department of Agricultural Economics, Utah State University, Logan UT, April 25.
Hansen, J. (2011). On the economics of optimal urban groundwater management in the desert southwest. Presented at 9th Biennial Pacific Rim Conference of the Western Economic Association International. Brisbane, Australia.
Thompson, V.S., K.D. Schaller, and W.A. Apel. 2003. Assessment of a thermo- alkali- stable catalase for treatment of hydrogen peroxide containing process streams, Poster presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Washington D.C., May 20-24.
Job Titles:
- Relationship Manager
- Director of Idaho National Laboratory 's Biomass
- Director, Biomass Feedstock National User Facility ( BFNUF ) LRM - EERE Bioenergy Technologies Office
Kevin L. Kenney is director of Idaho National Laboratory's Biomass Feedstock National User Facility. He is responsible for the facility's outreach, partnership and industry engagement activities, also for project planning and execution, and reporting project impacts to the U.S. Department of Energy. Before taking his present position in 2012, he was principal investigator for INL biomass harvest, collection, and storage research. He developed feedstocks logistics modeling and analysis capability at INL from 2005 to 2007, was lead engineer and developer of an Autonomous Combine Control System CRADA with CNH Global from 2002 to 2005, and received• Recipient of multiple patents in areas of industrial sensing and controls. He earned his bachelor's and master's in metallurgical and materials engineering from Colorado School of Mines.
Education:
M.S., Metallurgical and Materials Engineering - Colorado School of Mines
B.S., Metallurgical and Materials Engineering - Colorado School of Mines
Adams, C, V Godfrey, BD Wahlen, LC Seefeldt, B Bugbee. Understanding precision nitrogen stress to optimize the growth and lipid content tradeoff in oleaginous green microalgae. Bioresource Technology (2013), 131, pages 188-194.
Job Titles:
- Distinguished Research Scientist
Job Titles:
- Technician
- Principal Engineering Lab Technician
Marnie M. Cortez is a laboratory technician at the Idaho National Laboratory. She serves as librarian for the Bioenergy Feedstock Library, the cornerstone tool for effectively evaluating the impacts of feedstock quality characteristics, formulation, preprocessing, and pre-conversion on bioenergy production efficiency and conversion costs. She holds an associate of applied science degree from Eastern Idaho Technical College and has earned additional credit in science-related subjects at Idaho State University and University of Idaho.
Education:
A.A., Applied Science - Eastern Idaho Technical College
Job Titles:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer in Idaho National Laboratory 's Bioenergy
Matt Dee is a mechanical engineer in Idaho National Laboratory's Bioenergy Technologies group, part of the Energy Environment Science & Technology directorate. He holds a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University Idaho, where he worked as a teaching assistant in the Machine Design course. He holds SolidWorks Professional Core Certification (CSWP) and has passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, if preparation for his professional engineer license. His job with INL includes working with mechanical equipment vendors and industrial supply company to size and procure parts; use CAD software to design components and create drafting drawings; and to write programs and disseminate research data.
Education:
B.S., Mechanical Engineering - Brigham Young University
Job Titles:
- Research Analyst
- Agricultural Research Analyst
- Research Analyst in Idaho National Laboratory 's Biofuels
Mike Griffel is an agricultural research analyst in Idaho National Laboratory's Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technology Department, part of the Energy Environment Science & Technology directorate. He has extensive agronomic and field experience in multiple agricultural production systems, strong Geographic Information System experience, spatial data analysis abilities and extensive remote sensing skills, including satellite/UAS data processing. Before joining INL in 2016 he was an agronomy manager for Simplot Grower Solutions in Idaho Falls, managing Plant Health Technologies and SmartFarm portfolios for the Rocky Mountain Area. He earned his M.S. in Geographic Information Science from Idaho State University and his B.S. in microbiology from University of Idaho.
Education:
M.S., Geographic Information Science - Idaho State University
B.S., Microbiology - University of Idaho
Job Titles:
- Director - Facilities & Site Services
Mr. Melbihess leads an organization of some 600 staff providing a wide range of facility and support services across the INL. These services include facility management, site-wide utility operations, logistics, property management, infrastructure planning, engineering and construction services, fleet management and logistics, precision machining, calibration services, landfill operations, and food services. He is a career Battelle employee. He has over 22 years of experience managing a wide variety of laboratory support functions such as facilities management, operations and maintenance, fabrication, roads and grounds services, facility design, construction, renovation and demolition project management, and, laboratory protection and security services.
Job Titles:
- Director - Environment, Safety, Health & Quality
With more than 34 years of experience, Mr. Eric Papaioannou leads INL's Environment, Safety, Health & Quality Directorate. Previously, he led INL's Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) Operations, Maintenance, Infrastructure and Fabrication Division where he was responsible for operations in all of MFC's nuclear and radiological facilities. He began his career in the United States Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, joined Argonne National Laboratory-West in 1998 as an operator in the Fuel Conditioning Facility, spent seven years as a criticality safety engineer, and then moved into progressing roles in nuclear operations. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics with an emphasis in health physics from Idaho State University.
Job Titles:
- Director - External Engagement and Communications
- Director of INL 's External Engagement
Mr. John Revier is the director of INL's External Engagement and Communications directorate. In this role, he helps make INL an innovation leader and strong partner to governments, academia and industry across the region and beyond. His focus on the externally facing elements and activities at the laboratory helps INL speak with a single voice to external audiences. Prior to this role, he served for seven years as the director of State and Regional Government Affairs for INL, where he was the primary interface for the laboratory with the state of Idaho, local governments and other stakeholders within the region. Before joining INL, Revier served for over 14 years as Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson's legislative director and deputy chief of staff. Prior to that, he worked for Minnesota Sen. Rod Grams in both his state and Washington, D.C., offices. Revier is a native Minnesotan and graduate of Mankato State University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Deputy Laboratory Director for Management and Operations and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Juan Alvarez has over 35 years of experience in management and operations with the U.S. Navy and as a contractor with the Department of Energy. In his role at INL, he has overall leadership responsibility for effective implementation of major functional management and business transformation efforts. He also serves as Executive Vice President of Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, managing contractor of INL. He is a board member for University of Tennessee-Battelle LLC, Blue Cross of Idaho, Idaho Regional Optical Network, and Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. He also chairs the Battelle Operations Council. He holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Miami and a master's degree in industrial technology from the University of Idaho.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer and Director - Information Management
Mr. Mark Holtermann comes to Idaho National Laboratory with over 30 years of experience in information technology (IT), including the past 17 years within the energy and utilities industry. In his role at INL, he helps provide critical support to INL's research mission. INL relies on the Information Management directorate for the tools, systems and capabilities that enable the Lab's daily tasks, as well as facilitating and protecting the vast amounts of data and information that flow daily across INL's digital networks. In his career, Mark has delivered business-driven, customer-focused digital solutions, most recently as vice president for information technology and digitization at NAES Corporation. NAES is the power generation industry's largest independent services provider, and the company operates and maintains more than 200 power generation facilities, spanning more than 96 gigawatts including 5 gigawatts of renewables. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Memphis and a master's degree in international business administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Director - Human Resources & Diversity
With over 25 years of experience in human resources leadership positions in various corporations - from small privately held organizations to several Fortune 500 corporations - Mr. Mark Holubar brings a strong background in HR and diversity to the INL team. His background of success involves all areas of human resources with an emphasis on leadership assessment and development, organizational assessment, talent assessment and recruiting, employee engagement, employee relations and strategic planning. Early in his career, Mr. Holubar also held leadership positions in operations management. In his position as the director of Human Resources and Diversity, he will lead the HR function through the transformation of Idaho National Laboratory to its vision to be the world's pre-eminent nuclear energy laboratory. Mr. Holubar holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
Job Titles:
- Director - Safeguards and Security
- Director of INL 's Safeguards
Mr. Randall Hughes is director of INL's Safeguards and Security Directorate. He has over three decades of experience in the security realm and leads a team of more than 500 people while overseeing an annual budget in excess of $140 million. Safeguards and Security is responsible for programs that protect INL facilities, people, government property, and associated security interests, including special nuclear material, spent nuclear fuel, radioactive waste, classified and unclassified materials, security training, emergency communications, and the protective force. Mr. Hughes was the Senior Counterintelligence Officer at INL from 2010 to 2018. Before joining INL, he served as a special agent in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), where he gained extensive experience in matters related to security, law enforcement, counterintelligence and counterterrorism. He retired from NCIS after 21 years of distinguished service in numerous worldwide locations, including duty stations in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. While in federal service, he served in field and senior management positions.
Job Titles:
- Associate Lab Director - Materials and Fuels Complex
Mr. Ron Crone has more than 25 years of experience in engineering, management and technical leadership. He served as interim associate lab director for the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He was responsible for the management of the neutron sciences R&D portfolio, which includes the operation of the Spallation Neutron Source and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). He began his career in the Reactor Engineering Group at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station near Toledo, Ohio. He then worked at the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Station in Rowe, Massachusetts, as a reactor engineer and shift technical adviser. He moved to Tennessee and joined the staff of the HFIR in the Research Reactors Division (RRD) in January 1992. He holds a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a master's degree in engineering from the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
Job Titles:
- Associate Lab Director - National & Homeland Security S & T
Prior to joining INL in June 2016, Mr. Zach Tudor was program director in the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International, where he served as a management and technical resource for operational and research and development cybersecurity programs for government, intelligence, and commercial projects supporting DHS's Cyber Security Division on multiple projects. Mr. Tudor serves as a member of (ISC)2's Application Security Advisory Board and the Nuclear Cyber Security Working Group, and he also serves as the vice chair of the Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection at George Washington University. Prior to SRI, he led a team of cybersecurity engineers and analysts directly supporting the Control Systems Security Program at DHS, whose mission is to reduce the cybersecurity risk to critical infrastructure systems. A retired U.S. Navy Submarine Electronics Limited Duty Officer and Chief Data Systems Technician, Tudor holds an M.S. in Information Systems from George Mason University concentrating in cybersecurity, where he was also an adjunct professor teaching graduate courses in information security.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Financial Officer and Director - Business Management
Ms. Iris Anderson is the chief financial officer at Idaho National Laboratory with 29 years of experience in finance and accounting. As the CFO and director of Business Management at INL, she is responsible for the development and implementation of the laboratory's financial strategy and planning. The CFO facilitates the linkage of the laboratory's strategic objectives with institutional financial strategies and measurable goals. Before joining INL, Ms. Anderson served as the controller and manager of Financial Operations and had managed the Business Development & Analysis group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). She served on PNNL's Research Operations Council (ROC), as a member of the Brookhaven Laboratory Business & Audit Committee, and on the Battelle Pension Management Investment Committee. Previously, she held financial positions for US West NewVector Group and US Bank. The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce honored her with the ATHENA International Award, which honors women for professional excellence, community service, leadership skills, and actively assisting other women in attaining professional excellence. She holds a B.A. in finance from the University of Washington.
Job Titles:
- Director - Net - Zero Program
- Director of INL 's Net - Zero
Ms. Jhansi Kandasamy is the director of INL's Net-Zero program. She is responsible for leading INL to become a national model for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2031 through the development and implementation of carbon-free and carbon-capture technologies. Kandasamy began serving in her role at INL in October 2021. She brings 30 years of industry experience and leadership as the former executive vice president of engineering for GE-Hitachi. She began her career at the Limerick Generating station as an electrical engineer for the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) and held progressive roles as maintenance supervisor, operations supervisor, engineering manager, regulatory assurance manager and chemistry environmental manager at Exelon's Limerick Generating Station and Oyster Creek Generating Station. She then transitioned to Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) Nuclear Salem/Hope Creek New Jersey where she held positions as regulatory assurance manager, work management director and senior projects director.
Kandasamy obtained U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission senior reactor operator certification at the Limerick Generating Station. In addition, Kandasamy is past chair of U.S. Women in Nuclear (WIN), an organization with more than 8,000 members, and co-founder of U.S. WIN Nuclear Executives of Tomorrow, where she mentors women who are one to three years from being executives in the nuclear industry. She is also an American Nuclear Society executive committee chair member and co-founder of Atomic Allies. Kandasamy received her Master of Business Administration from Eastern University and her bachelor's in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
Kimberly Evans Ross provides legal advice and support for INL's research, business and operational activities as general counsel. She has worked in INL's Office of General Counsel since 2014 and took lead as general counsel in 2021. In her role, she helps the laboratory achieve business objectives while cost-effectively managing legal risks and expenses. Prior to joining INL, Evans Ross represented INL as lead outside counsel for several years as a partner at Moffatt Thomas Barrett Rock and Fields in Idaho Falls. She has also been an associate attorney at Tarlow & Stonecipher and has clerked for Chief Justice Jean Turnage of the Montana Supreme Court, as well as Chief Judge William Stocks at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. She received a bachelor's degree in English with distinguished honors from Boise State University, and a Juris Doctor with honors from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Job Titles:
- Research Engineer
- Senior Research Engineer in the Idaho National Laboratory 's BioFuels and Renewable Energy
Neal A. Yancey is a senior research engineer in the Idaho National Laboratory's BioFuels and Renewable Energy Department. He has worked at INL since 1997 and in the BioFuels Department since 2007. His education includes a bachelor's and master's degree from Utah State University in environmental engineering. From 1997 to 2007 he was involved primarily in soil and water remediation. During that time he was involved in research and testing of jet grouting technologies to stabilize buried waste. He conducted research and testing in the cleanup of radioactive and biological contaminations following a dirty bomb detonation and remediation of abandoned mine waste in remote areas of the western U.S.
Beginning in 2007 his research has been focused on reducing costs in the preprocessing of agricultural and forest residues as that relates to preparing biomass for fuel conversion. He has published many papers dealing primarily in the area of reducing grinding costs during the pre-processing of biomass to feed into refineries and fuel conversion processes. He has been a peer reviewer for multiple publications and has been the lead of technical sessions for the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Education:
M.S., Environmental Engineering - Utah State University
B.S., Environmental Engineering - Utah State University
M. Papageorges, C.A. Elstad, G.G. Meadows, P.R. Gavin, R.D. Sande and W.F. Bauer, "Studies on the Uptake of Para-Boronophenylalanine in Melanoma Cells," in: Progress in Neutron Capture Therapy for Cancer, B. J. Allen et. al. eds, Plenum Press, New York 1992, pp 373-376.
Job Titles:
- Controls Engineer
- Electrical and Controls Engineer
Patrick Bonebright is an electrical and controls engineer for Idaho National Laboratory, where he started in July 2016. He was president of In Tention, Inc., a company in San Diego, CA, providing technical expertise to clients in aerospace, defense, national security, automotive, manufacturing and product development. He designed and built a 27-axis laser interferometer system used during cryogenic testing of the James Webb Space Telescope. He has laid out greenfield production facilities for Decision Sciences Corp. and Rock West Solutions and designed and built electrical and control systems for Meggitt PLC, an aerospace company. He holds a bachelor's in electrical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and CDMA Engineering certification in cellular communications from University of California-San Diego.
Education:
B.S., Electrical Engineering - South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Lauer, M., Hansen, J., Lamers, P, & Thran, D. (2018). Making money from waste: the economic viability of producing biogas and biomethane in the Idaho dairy industry. Applied Energy, 222, 621-636, DOI:10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.026.
Lamers, P., Nguyen, R., Hartley, D., Hansen, J.K., & Searcy, E. (2018). Biomass market dynamics supporting the large-scale deployment of high-octane fuel production in the United States. GCB Bioenergy, 10, 460-472, DOI 10.1111/gcbb.12509.
Job Titles:
- 1998, "Tower REactors for Bioconversion of Lignocellulosic Material, " Patent 5, 733, 758, March 31, 1998
- Fred a
- PDU Group Lead
Quang Nguyen is Process Development Unit Group Leader at Idaho National Laboratory. He is a pioneer in cellulosic ethanol process technology and has managed many innovative R&D projects in the production of ethanol, chemicals, and feed from lignocellulosic biomass. He has 39 years' experience in process design and optimization, plant/equipment design, plant startup and operation. He earned his M.B.A., Master's and Bachelor's degrees in chemical engineering at Canada's University of Ottawa. He holds 18 patents and 13 patent applications related to bioconversion process and equipment design for the production of ethanol, chemicals and feed from biomass. Before joining INL he was Scientist General Manager of Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies in Chesterfield, Missouri.
Education:
M.B.A., Project Management - University of Ottawa
M.S., Chemical Engineering - University of Ottawa
B.S., Chemical Engineering - University of Ottawa
Aziz Ahmed, Quang A. Nguyen, 2015, "Process for recovery of values from a fermentation mass obtained in producing ethanol and products thereof," Patent 8,956,460 B2, February 17, 2015.
Quang A. Nguyen, 2013, "Method for producing ethanol and co-products from cellulosic biomass," Patent 8,545,633 B2, October 1, 2013.
Murray J. Burke et al., 2013, "Method and apparatus for treating a cellulosic feedstock," Patent 8,449,680 B2, May 28, 2013.
Fred A. Keller, Jr., Quang A. Nguyen, 2002, "Pentose fermentation of normally toxic lignocellulose prehydrolysate with strain of Pichia stipitis using air," Patent 6,498,029 B2, December 24, 2002.
Quang A. Nguyen, 1993, "Continuous leaching of lignin or hemicellulose and lignin from steam pretreated lignocellulosic particulate material," Canada Patent 1,322,366, September 21, 1993.
Job Titles:
- R & D Technician
- Research and Development
- Research and Development Technician
Rachel Colby is a research and development laboratory technician who has been with the Idaho National Laboratory since 1998. She holds an associate's of applied sciences degree in welding technology from New Mexico State University and has worked in welding and machining, materials, chemistry, microscopy, quality assurance and logistics. Rachel has been a part of the Biofuels and Renewable Energy Department since 2008, where she is involved in sample collection, processing, moisture measurement, ashing analysis, flowability testing, as well as other areas.
Education:
A.A.S., Welding Technology - Dona Ana Branch Community College (Branch of New Mexico State University)
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Research Scientist for Idaho National Laboratory 's Biofuels and Renewable Energy
Rachel Emerson is a research scientist for Idaho National Laboratory's Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technologies Department. Her work supports the Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office by developing physiological and chemical characterization techniques for lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks intended for both thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes. Primarily, her research has included developing rapid characterization models for analyzing the composition of raw and treated biomass feedstocks using a variety of multivariate spectroscopy techniques including near-infrared, mid-infrared, and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Emerson is also involved in developing microwave enhanced fast pyrolysis instrumentation for the purpose of rapidly screening and selection of feedstocks for thermochemical conversion industrial scale pyrolysis processes. Her work has also focused on looking at the effects of both environmental stresses and pretreatments on the composition and convertibility of biomass feedstocks. Her master's degree research, from Idaho State University, involved developing an algorithm termed Local Adaptive Fusion Regression to improve the quality of spectroscopic multivariate predictive models.
She obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Idaho where her research focused on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry drug analysis.
Job Titles:
- Research Specialist
- Researcher
Sergio Hernandez is a Biomass Characterization Researcher within the Bioenergy Technologies program under the Clean Energy and Advanced Transportation Division at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Since arriving to INL, his research has been focused on supporting and developing the production of commercially viable biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower made from renewable biomass resources, carrying out research interests in the Department of Energy Biomass Feedstock National User Facility (BFNUF) at INL. Sergio has expertise in biomass chemical, mechanical, and physical characteristics that aims to understand biomass handling, feeding, and preprocessing systems and impacts toward performance on a variety of conversion pathways.
W.A. Apel, V.S. Thompson, J.A. Lacey and C.A. Gentillon, 2016, "Identification of discriminant proteins through antibody profiling, methods and apparatus for identifying an individual," Patent 9,410,965, August 9, 2016.
V. Thompson. 2008. Antibody Profiling: A new identification technology and how it can be used in the forensic community. Keynote paper presented at the Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists meeting, Boise, ID, November 7.
V.S. Thompson, J.A. Lacey, C.A. Gentillon and W.A. Apel, 2015, "Identification of discriminant proteins through antibody profiling, methods and apparatus for identifying an individual," Patent 8,969,009, March 3, 2015.
V.S. Thompson, W.A. Apel, J.A. Lacey, B.D. Lee, D.W. Reed, R.F. Francisco, and D.N. Thompson. 2019. Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic metabolism genes and enzymes from alicyclobacillusacidocaldarius and related organisms, methods. United States Patent, 10,214,737. Issued February 26.
V.S. Thompson, W.A. Apel, D.N. Thompson, and K.D. Schaller, 2011, "Enzyme and methodology for the treatment of a biomass", Mexico Patent 283890, October 2, 2011.
V. Thompson, W.A. Apel, V. Balan, B. Dale, and D.N. Thompson. 2014. "Production and characterization of thermophilic glycosyl- and glycoside hydrolases from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius". Presented at 36th Annual meeting on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals Symposium. Clearwater Beach, FL, May 1.
D.M. Ginosar, L.M. Petkovic, D.N. Thompson, 2010, "Conversion of crop seed oils to jet fuel and associated methods", Patent 7,718,051, May 18, 2010.
Job Titles:
- Distinguished Staff Scientist
Idaho National Laboratory Distinguished Staff Scientist Vivek Agarwal has been named a 2023 Most Promising Asian American Engineer of the Year (AAEOY). Agarwal is the
Schaller, K.D., V.S. Thompson, E.A. Taylor and W.A. Apel. 2006. R&D 100 Award-winning alkaline and thermal stable catalase immobilized on Eupergit™ C beads for removal of H2O2 in high temperature process streams. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Industrial Microbiology, Baltimore, MD, July 30-August 3.
Wendt, L.M., B.D. Wahlen, M.R. Walton, J.A. Nguyen, Y. Lin, R.M. Brown. 2021b. Screening of Alkali-Assisted Storage Conditions to Define the Operational Window of Deacetylation within Storage Systems in the Bioenergy Supply Chain. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. doi: 10.1002/bbb.2288.
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Environmental Scientist
William (Bill) Smith is an environmental scientist with 15 years of service at the Idaho National Laboratory. He earned his master's degree in environmental science and waste management from Idaho State University in 2000. His past work includes applied research and development in bioremediation and stabilization of mixed wastes, biological upgrading of industrial wastes to produce value added products, and quantification and control of microbial degradation of biomass feedstocks in storage. As task lead for INL's Harvest, Collection, and Storage research he and his team perform field trials and laboratory experiments to measure the impacts of logistics operations on feedstock quality, operational costs, and economic and environmental sustainability. Research focuses on balancing feedstock quality and yield during harvest, and controlling moisture, dry matter losses, and feedstock conversion performance in storage. Emerging work includes the development of deployable sensors to permit active quality management early in the supply chain.
Education:
M.S., Waste Management and Environmental Science - Idaho State University
B.S., Education-Music Education - Tennessee Technological University