Oak Ridge Today

ORAU Annual Report highlights impact of early career researchers on U.S. scientific mission

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jason Hayward

Jason Hayward, who has a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan, holds a high-resolution instrument, which is part of his research to benefit facilities like Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source. (Photo credit: University of Tennessee)

With U.S. falling behind China and India in numbers of STEM graduates, strengthening U.S. scientific talent is critical, according to report

Jason Hayward is applying his nuclear engineering research expertise to develop the next generation of high-resolution instruments for facilities like Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source.

Hayward, who has a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan, hopes his work will eventually help curtail the spread of nuclear weapons and assist in identifying viable alternative energy sources. Hayward is an assistant professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Tennessee, a joint faculty member with ORNL’s Nuclear Security and Isotope Technology Division, a U.S. Department of Energy research award recipient, and a participant in the Higher Education Research Experiences Program.

He and many other early career researchers are participating in fellowships and internships managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities with DOE and other federal agencies, and they are the main focus of ORAU’s “2013 Annual Report,” which has just been released. [Read more…]

ORISE: Number of health physics degrees up for undergrads, down for grads

Posted at
By 2 Comments

Enrollment data suggests current trend likely to continue in 2014 and 2015

The number of college students graduating with majors in health physics has increased slightly for bachelor’s degrees, but decreased for both master’s and doctoral candidates.

The report, titled “Health Physics Enrollments and Degrees Survey, 2013 Data,” surveyed 22 academic programs with enrollment and degree data between Sept. 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2013, including both students majoring in health physics or those enrolled in an option program equivalent to a major.

Undergraduate degrees increase while graduate degrees fall slightly [Read more…]

ORAU, USDA seek agricultural postdocs

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Multiple research appointments available through Agricultural Research Service Postdoctoral Research Program

Selected candidates participate in USDA research for one to four years

Oak Ridge Associated Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are currently seeking recent doctoral degree recipients for various appointments in the Agricultural Research Service Postdoctoral Research Program.

The ARS is the USDA’s chief scientific in-house research agency responsible for developing and transferring solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority. ARS research is organized into national programs comprised of more than 800 research projects carried out by ARS in approximately 90 locations across the U.S.

From research positions focused on crop production to food safety and virology to sustainable agricultural systems, this program serves as the next step in educational and professional development of scientists and engineers interested in agricultural-related research. [Read more…]

Rebirth of nuclear energy assessed at ORAU Council meeting

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

 Rebirth of nuclear energy assessed at 69th annual meeting of ORAU Council of Sponsoring Institutions

Leading experts discussed technology and educational challenges

Declines in new construction, evolving safety regulations, and building the next generation of nuclear engineers and researchers are among the challenges facing the future of nuclear energy, but there is hope, according to a top Nuclear Regulatory Commission official.

Speaking recently to more than 130 attendees at the annual meeting of ORAU’s Council of Sponsoring Institutions, Patrice Bubar, chief of staff for NRC Commissioner William Magwood, shared the agency’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing nuclear energy.

“There have been many projections and predictions about the future of nuclear power,” she said. “Nuclear power plants continue to operate safely and construction of new plants continues.” [Read more…]

ORAU welcomes four new universities as sponsoring institutions

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Associated Universities recently welcomed The City College of New York, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Temple University, and University of Colorado at Boulder as its newest sponsoring institutions. They were welcomed during the 69th annual meeting of the ORAU Council of Sponsoring Institutions, held in Oak Ridge. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center upgraded its membership to sponsoring institution.

“We’re honored to have these four institutions join our growing university consortium,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “The research and education capabilities of these universities strengthen the value of our consortium.”

ORAU has 114 members in more than 31 states ranging from Florida to Idaho and Pennsylvania to Nevada, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and England. According to the National Science Foundation Federal R&D Expenditures rankings, 44 ORAU member institutions are in the Top 100 universities. ORAU was formed 67 years ago under the auspices of the Oak Ridge Institute for Nuclear Studies and originally consisted of 14 southern schools. [Read more…]

ORISE report shows nuclear engineering graduation rates on the rise in 2013

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Number of graduate degrees expected to remain consistent but undergraduate degrees could see decrease starting in 2015; UT among Top 3 degree-granting programs

The number of college students graduating with majors in nuclear engineering continues to increase, according to a report by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, which surveyed 32 U.S. universities with nuclear engineering programs. The report, titled “Nuclear Engineering Enrollments and Degrees Survey, 2013 Data,” includes degrees granted between Sept. 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2013.

Graduate, undergraduate nuclear engineering degrees increased from last year [Read more…]

ORAU PeerNet used to support DOE’s Enrico Fermi Award selection

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oak Ridge Associated University’s electronic peer review and evaluation system, PeerNet, was used to support the selection of recipients for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science Enrico Fermi Award, a prestigious award presented by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on behalf of President Barack Obama. This year’s awards were presented to Allen J. Bard and Andrew Sessler during a Feb. 3 ceremony in Washington, D.C. 

Through a contract to manage DOE’s Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, or ORISE, ORAU peer review specialists oversaw the merit review for the Enrico Fermi Award, providing an objective assessment of worthy candidates. PeerNet provided independent reviewers with secure access for evaluating nomination packages based on pre-established criteria. Recommendations made by reviewers were submitted and approved by the energy secretary with the president accepting and approving the selections. [Read more…]

Free Science Saturdays offered in Knoxville by ORAU, ORNL

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORAU and ORNL Science Saturdays

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to bring students and scientists together through a weekly program called Science Saturdays that will feature engaging science topics taught through interactive presentations and hands-on activities. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to bring students and scientists together through a weekly program called Science Saturdays. Students in grades 8-12, along with their parents, are invited for three Saturday morning presentations in February, when they will learn about a variety of engaging science topics through interactive presentations and hands-on activities.

“Science Saturdays provide a unique opportunity for students to have direct interaction with scientists from ORNL,” said Marie Westfall, interim associate director for ORAU’s Center for Science Education. “Through this program, we hope to excite students about the subject of science by introducing subjects and activities not found in their daily education.” [Read more…]

ORAU names associate director of scientific, technical resource integration

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

David Duncan

David Duncan

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has appointed David Duncan as associate director of its scientific and technical resource integration program.

In his new role, Duncan is responsible for managing research peer review activities that coordinate the use of independent, expert reviewers to evaluate proposals and scientific and technical information for a variety of federal and state funding agencies. Additionally, he is responsible for identifying viable options for new business development and for establishing and developing business networks and partnerships. [Read more…]

ORAU names employee relations, diversity director

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Mae Mosley

Mae Mosley

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has named Mae Mosley director of employee relations and diversity.

In her new position, Mosley will manage and direct ORAU’s employee relations and diversity, and oversee the organization’s occupational health functions, services and programs.

Additionally, Mosley will provide advice and consultation to employees, managers, and ORAU executives relating to disciplinary processes, human behavior modification, equal employment, and affirmative action goals. She will also serve as a technical advisor to the ORAU Diversity Council. [Read more…]

ORAU named a Best Diversity Company by readers of Diversity/Careers magazine

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Organization receives the honor for four consecutive years

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. ORAU was one of only four organizations to be ranked as a diversity leader in the “research” category and one of 94 organizations to be ranked highest overall.

“Over the years, ORAU has evolved from an organization of people who accept diversity into one that embraces it,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “Not only have we embraced a culture of diversity in the workplace, but we have extended that commitment into all facets of our business operations including significant minority and female participation in our science education programs, targeted small business subcontracting partnerships, and community-based outreach.” [Read more…]

ORAU wins $6.5 million contract from Pennsylvania Department of Health

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has won a five-year, $6.5 million contract from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health to manage peer and performance reviews. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has won a five-year, $6.5 million contract from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health to manage peer and performance reviews.

As part of this contract, ORAU will assist the Department of Health in meeting its mission to fund Pennsylvania research organizations to conduct biomedical, clinical, and health services research projects using peer review as part of the grant selection process and performance reviews to assess ongoing and completed grants. [Read more…]