"The Y-12 Analytical Chemistry Organization & Recent Research Highlights"

 The Analytical Chemistry Organization is a production support operation dealing with tens of thousands of samples annually, across a broad spectrum of analyses. In addition to traditional analytical techniques, the laboratory routinely performs research and development to improve processes as well as to support external parties and university collaborations. This presentation will discuss a basic overview of laboratory operations and capabilities as well as highlight a number of recent R&D projects including mass spectrometry, novel optical spectroscopy techniques, and advanced instrumentation development.

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT & ASSIGNMENTS:

B&W Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge (TN)        

Division & Technical Manager, Technical Development Laboratories Division: 09/2012 - Present

Direct Report: James G. Placke, Jr. Ph.D.; Analytical Chemistry Organization Director

·         Manage special measurement operations, namely Unique Identification requests, and laboratory facilities for NMR, SEM, Multiprobe, NDA, XRD, XRF and FTIR including 8 fulltime staff, 1 graduate student, matrixed staff as necessary, and organization summer student interns.

·         Accredited Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Program (IHLAP) Technical Manager (ISO 17025).

·         Manage ~$600K->$1M annually in internally and externally granted research funding and related staff assignments.

·         DC qualification

·         Ph.D. Student Advisor, Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee in support of the Y-12/UT-K MOU and under direct order from National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) headquarters.

·         Funded Advising Mentor for the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

·         Manage Analytical Chemistry Organization (ACO) related sample analysis and R&D efforts from NNSA offices NA-22, NA-241, NA-243, as well as Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and internal Plant Directed Research & Development (PDRD) program.

·         Subject matter expert for laser systems, surface chemistry, mass spectrometry, and system automation.

B&W Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge (TN)        

Division & Technical Manager (Acting), Bioassay Laboratories Division: 02/2014 - Present

Direct Report: James G. Placke, Jr. Ph.D.; Analytical Chemistry Organization Director

·         Manage largest DOELAP/AIHA accredited radionuclide bioassay laboratory in the United States, performing over 12,000 sample analyses annually for actinide content in urine and fecal samples.

·         Primary support organization for Y-12 Dosimetry, 12 staff, dedicated facility, and largest division hazardous chemical inventory. Also manage 18,000 ft² facility and related operations.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (TN)

Associate Professor (Adjunct), Department of Chemistry: 01/2014 - Present

·         Joint Graduate Student Advisor with Prof. Mike Sepaniak

·         Special Course Lectures in Instrumentation Development and Data Analysis

·         UTK/Y-12 MOU Champion