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ORAU sponsors U.S. student researchers to attend Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany

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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — ORAU will once again sponsor young researchers in the fields of mathematics and computer science to attend the Seventh Heidelberg Laureate Forum from Sept. 22-27, 2019, in Heidelberg, Germany.
The Heidelberg Laureate Forum is a gathering of laureates of some of the most prestigious prizes in mathematics and computer science, namely the Abel Prize and Fields Medal as well as the Turing Award and Nevanlinna Prize. Held annually for a week in Heidelberg, Germany, the Heidelberg Laureate Forum brings these laureates at the apex of their careers together with 200 high-achieving graduate student and postdoctoral counterparts from around the world.
The forum gives early career researchers an opportunity for interaction that is typically not available within the normal university environment or in their home university department, whereby the laureates provided formal plenary lectures and led small group discussions with topics driven by a combination of prepared presentations by the laureates as well as student questions.
Two hundred young researchers are expected to attend the week-long Heidelberg Forum to network with laureates in their STEM fields as well as with international colleagues. Laureates engage in a cross-generational scientific dialogue with young researchers.
“The Heidelberg Forum is really an opportunity of a lifetime for young researchers as they will make connections that will help bridge the gap between the generations of experienced computer science and mathematics researchers,” said Jennifer Callais, who manages the 2019 program for ORAU. “For an entire week, students get a chance to interact with mathematics and computer science experts, which is an invaluable experience that will hopefully encourage these aspiring researchers to continue in STEM careers.”
The young researchers sponsored by ORAU to attend the 2019 Heidelberg Laureate Forum include:

• Amanda Bower, University of Michigan
• Janelle Mason, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• Cecilia Mauceri, University of Colorado
• David Porfirio, University of Wisconsin

For more information regarding the Seventh Heidelberg Laureate Forum, visit the Heidelberg Laureate Forum website.

ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security and health. Through specialized teams of experts, unique laboratory capabilities and access to a consortium of more than 100 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org.
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Raider Pantry now open at Roane State’s main campus in Harriman

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raider_pantry roane state

Retired Roane State dean of students Brenda Rector cuts the ribbon for the new Raider Pantry at the college’s main campus in Harriman. From left are Roane State president Chris Whaley; Mid-East Community Action Agency Executive Director Jerry Johnson; Brenda Rector; Kristie Hopwood, agency relations and school pantry program coordinator with Second Harvest Food Bank; Kroger assistant store manager Fred Kleimola; and Kroger corporate affairs manager Melissa Eads. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

The new Raider Pantry is fully stocked and open for business, ready to provide everything from snacks to the makings of nutritious meals for Roane State Community College students and their families.

A ribbon-cutting in August formally opened the newest effort by the community college to address the vexing problem of food insecurity, which affects a staggering number of college students nationwide.

“At least 40 percent of students in higher education suffer from some form of food insecurity,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said during the grand opening at the main campus in Harriman. “That’s appalling.”

The launch of the Raider Pantry in a small space just inside the Roane State gymnasium on the Roane County campus continues the college’s efforts to address food insecurity. Snacks are offered at campus locations, and three campuses (Roane, Oak Ridge, and Cumberland) offer dedicated rooms for food pantries. [Read more…]

Roane State hosts specialized training for Y-12 employees

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PETE_training roane state

Industrial hygiene processes was one of the topics covered as part of a training partnership between Roane State and Y-12. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Longstanding and varied partnerships between Roane State Community College and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge entered a new phase this summer, and it may lead to a five-year funding opportunity for the community college.

Using an initial $41,000 in funding from the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE), Roane State has been hosting and coordinating specialized training for non-bargaining unit workers at Y-12. The funding from PETE came from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/Department of Energy (NIEHS/DOE) Nuclear Worker Training Program, which provides hazardous-related health and safety training to DOE workers and contractors.

PETE is a nonprofit formed to support training programs at community and technical colleges. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum benefit to feature anthropologist Bill Bass, radio’s Frank Murphy

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Frank-Murphy-Dr.-Bill-Bass

Frank Murphy, left, and Dr. Bill Bass will appear together at a fundraiser on Sept. 28, 2019, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Dr. William “Bill” Bass, founder of the “Body Farm” at the University of Tennessee, and radio personality Frank Murphy have appeared together many times since Murphy began interviewing the renowned forensic anthropologist each time a new Jefferson Bass novel was published.

“I’ve worked on four different radio stations in Knoxville and have interviewed him on all four,” said Murphy, afternoon show host on Classic Hits 93.1 WNOX.

Bass and Murphy will appear together again on Saturday, September 28, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge as Bass discusses the science behind the Jefferson Bass novel “Bones of Betrayal,” a collaboration between Bass and co-author Jon Jefferson. Set in Oak Ridge, the novel explores the murder of a physicist, involved in the Manhattan Project race to build the bomb, whose body is discovered in a frozen swimming pool.

Bass will speak at 7 p.m., and Murphy will emcee the benefit presentation hosted by the Children’s Museum at 461 West Outer Drive. An earlier VIP reception begins at 5:45 p.m. Food may be purchased from Lanai Food Truck and Razzleberry’s Café, and beverages, including beer, wine, water, and soda, may also be purchased. Doors open at 5:30pm. [Read more…]

Senior Center to be temporarily closed for move to new facility

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Oak Ridge Senior Center Front Sept 2019
Construction of the new Oak Ridge Senior Center on the west side of the Oak Ridge Civic Center has been completed. The front of the new Senior Center is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will be temporarily closed starting Monday, September 16, to allow the staff to relocate to the new Senior Center on the west side of the Civic Center.

The temporary closure was announced by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

Construction of the new center was finished on schedule, and staff can now occupy the space to complete final preparations, a press release said.

[Read more…]

ORAU awards $20,000 in education grants to 26 local teachers

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ORAU Grant Awards Ceremony Sept 10 2019

More than 25 teachers from Anderson County schools received new teaching materials and supplies at ORAU’s Education Grants program on Sept. 10, 2019, walking away with a total of $20,000 in grant funds. (Photo by ORAU)

 

More than 25 teachers from Anderson County schools received new teaching materials and supplies at ORAU’s Education Grants program on Sept. 10, walking away with a total of $20,000 in grant funds.

Now in the program’s 18th year, ORAU has awarded more than half a million dollars to Clinton City, Oak Ridge, and Anderson County Schools in its mission to enrich science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.

And each year, teachers find more creative ways to incorporate STEM learning into their classrooms, a press release said. [Read more…]

Household hazardous waste collection is Saturday

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Anderson County Solid Waste Management and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are sponsoring a household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, September 14, in Oak Ridge.

The collection is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Oak Ridge Central Services Complex at 100 Woodbury Lane, behind the Hobby Lobby shopping center. This is a state-sponsored household hazardous waste event, and it is open to all Tennessee residents, a press release said.

Household hazardous waste is anything generated in the household that has a hazardous property. Examples include household disinfectants, drain cleaners, adhesives, pesticides, old gasoline, and pool chemicals, the press release said. A material is considered hazardous if it is flammable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive with heat or contact with metals.

[Read more…]

Molly Tuttle, Alex Leach Band to perform in free concert Saturday

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Molly Tuttle and the Alex Leach Band will perform in a free concert in Oak Ridge on Saturday, July 14, 2019, for the last Summer Sessions concert of 2019 presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union. (Photo courtesy ORNL Federal Credit Union)

Molly Tuttle and the Alex Leach Band will perform in a free concert in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

It’s the last Summer Sessions concert of 2019 presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union.

Summer Sessions is a free concert series featuring bluegrass and American bands from throughout the region. Jim Lauderdale, Steve Gulley and the New Pinnacle, The Travelin’ McCourys, Circus No. 9, Ricky Skaggs, and Kentucky Thunder have also performed during the 2019 concert series.

[Read more…]

ORNL’s Stephen Macklin named DOE Outstanding Security Manager of Year

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Stephen Macklin
Stephen Macklin

Stephen Macklin, protective force group leader at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been named the DOE Outstanding Security Manager of the Year by Energy Secretary Rick Perry. 

Macklin is one of only three individuals and one security team to receive 2018 Outstanding Security Awards, a press release said. The honors recognize both federal and contractor employees who “excel in the performance of their duties while providing security services or support to the DOE’s protective missions.”

ORNL nominated Macklin for leading a seamless transition of 92 security employees from an outside contractor to internal management, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Storm the Grove will help young musicians, Grove Theater

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Storm the Grove Poster Sept 13 2019

Storm the Grove will help young musicians and raise money for the historic Grove Theater on Friday.

It’s a spoof of Area 51. Organizers said you can fly out to Nevada in hopes of seeing an alien—or save money, “storm the grove,” and be the alien you want to see. You are welcome to come dressed as your favorite space alien. There will be a cash prize for the best costume, organizers said.

Storm the Grove will spotlight Tennessee bands (musical earthlings): Zack Miles, Chloe Kimes, Nightly, and Drive Thru Therapy. One band is from Nashville, two from Knoxville, and one is based in Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Man allegedly held woman hostage with hammer

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Rickey Moore
Rickey Moore

A 44-year-old man allegedly held a woman hostage with a hammer and reportedly charged at fugitive recovery agents in Powell on Wednesday, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said.

There were two Anderson County warrants for Rickey Moore, including a failure to appear, and bail bondsman fugitive recovery agents reported he was holding a woman hostage with a hammer inside a home on Bison Court at about 3:42 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Moore refused to surrender to the bail agents and reportedly charged at them with a hammer, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“That is when the agents called our office,” said Tyler Mayes, director of administrative services for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

[Read more…]

ORNL-Veterans Affairs collaboration targets veteran suicide epidemic

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An Oak Ridge Team recently sped up a computer model that helps predict veteran suicide risk. (Image credit: Carlos Jones, ORNL)

 

Submitted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory

More than 6,000 veterans died by suicide in 2016, and from 2005 to 2016, the rate of veteran suicides in the United States increased by more than 25 percent.

Suicide prevention is the highest priority for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs—so much so that in recent years, the VA has started using predictive models and advanced informatics (the study of information processing; computer science) to identify at-risk veterans.

One model of this type is called the medication possession ratio algorithm. It creates individualized summaries of veterans’ medication patterns, such as which medications a veteran is prescribed and how often those prescriptions are filled. The model helps clinicians pinpoint veterans with inconsistent medication usage patterns. These veterans are known to have a higher risk of attempting suicide in the next month.

In a collaborative project with the VA, a team at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has taken the model and engineered the expanded version of it to run 300 times faster, gaining an unprecedented acceleration that might have a profound effect on the VA’s ability to reach susceptible veterans quickly. [Read more…]

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