Oak Ridge Today

NASA Postdoctoral Program fellow’s research could yield insights into early life on Mars

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Oak Ridge, Tenn. —Even microorganisms depend on their community to grow, which can help them survive in harsh environments, such as in Hawaiian lava caves or on ancient Mars. That’s among the findings in a study conducted by Rebecca Prescott, Ph.D., a research fellow with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Postdoctoral Program (NPP), managed by ORAU.

“Volcanic systems in Hawai’i are geologically like those on ancient Mars, which had active volcanoes and fumaroles,” said Prescott. “With these geological similarities, Hawaiian volcanic environments can provide some insight into the possibility of life on Mars in its ancient past and how microbial communities could survive today on Mars in lava caves.”

Prescott and her team collected 70 samples over multiple years from lava caves and fumaroles across the island of Hawai‘i. Prescott, a microbial ecologist, studies quorum sensing, which is a complex communication system between microbes that uses chemicals to allow microbial communities to coordinate their activities. She has found that the amount of quorum sensing going on seems to be higher in lava caves than other extreme environments.

“I needed a better understanding of the community structure in lava caves,” Prescott said. “I was particularly interested in understanding who is hanging out with whom, and therefore who might be ‘talking’ to whom.”

Interestingly, the study found that interactions within microbial communities are more complex in the fumaroles, a much harsher environment, than in lava tubes. One possible explanation is that microbial communities rely on their neighbors and on cooperation more in harsh environments, according to Prescott.

“This research points to the importance of understanding how microbes interact as a group, rather than as a single species. In studies of the limits of life, in understanding how life could evolve in the ancient past on Mars, or even in planetary protection studies today, the response of groups of microbes is likely different than the response of a single species,” said Prescott.

NPP offers unique research opportunities for highly talented U.S. and non-U.S. scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems and astrobiology.

Read more in Frontiers in Microbiology.

Frontiers in Microbiology is a leading journal in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research across the entire spectrum of microbiology

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 150 major colleges and universities, 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. To learn more, visit www.orau.org.
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Jennifer Hoff named deputy project manager of the ORAU Team Dose Reconstruction Project for NIOSH

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Oak Ridge, Tenn.—Jennifer Hoff, Ph.D, has been named the new deputy project manager of the ORAU Team Dose Reconstruction Project for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Hoff has served as associate director on the NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Project since 2021 and has worked on this project in different capacities since 2003.

In her new position, Hoff will work with the project manager in both strategic and operational leadership of her team. She will also guide her team to exceed expectations in their duties of continuing the key missions of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. She will take over the role in October, when current Deputy Project Manager Matt McFee retires.

“We are thrilled that Jennifer will be taking on this role,” said Jeff Miller, Ph.D., senior vice president and director of ORAU Government Services. “She has been an important part of the NIOSH project for almost 20 years, and her experience and knowledge made her the best choice. We cannot wait to see what Jennifer will do as deputy project manager.”

Before starting her current role as an associate director, Hoff worked as a manager on the project for 12 years. Prior to that, she served as a health physicist.

Hoff earned a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee — Knoxville in 2003. She also holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from the same school, both in nuclear engineering with a concentration in radiological engineering.

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 152 major 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. To learn more, visit www.orau.org.

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ORAU launches new app with a variety of resources available, including hundreds of STEM internships, fellowships and research opportunities

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Oak Ridge, Tenn.—ORAU unveiled its all-new ORAU Pathfinder app, providing a wide range of resources on the go. This app offers college students, recent graduates and postdoctoral students a mobile tool to search and apply for hundreds of science, technology, engineering and math internships, fellowships and research opportunities at facilities across the U.S., such as NASA and the Army Research Laboratory.

The ORAU Pathfinder app also provides a platform to remain engaged, connected and informed during the ORAU experience—from application, to offer, through the appointment and even as an ORAU alum.

“We created the ORAU Pathfinder app with our current and future research participants in mind,” said ORAU Director of Research Programs J. Scott Miller, Ph.D. “We wanted to provide a platform for ORAU interns, fellows and others to connect and be able to stay connected to ORAU on their mobile devices.”

The ORAU Pathfinder mobile app helps those interested stay engaged, connected and informed during their experience at ORAU and beyond, and the app can be used to search and apply for opportunities, learn about exclusive ORAU events, manage applications, accept offers, access a variety of STEM career resources and more!

Visit ORAU Pathfinder app for more information and to download the app today!

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 152 major 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. To learn more, visit www.orau.org.

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Three Ohio residents die in two-vehicle crash

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Three Ohio residents died in a two-vehicle crash on Edgemoor Road at Old Emory Road in Claxton on Friday, July 22.

The three Ohio residents were all in the same vehicle, a 2018 Honda CRV, and they were all from Mansfield, Ohio, according to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The driver was Peter Webel, 75, and the two passengers were Linda Webel, 76, and Frieda Gottschling, 80.

The other vehicle, a 2004 GMC Sonoma, was driven by a juvenile male from Knoxville.

[Read more…]

DOE picks Idaho for nuclear test reactor

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Image courtesy U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy has decided to build a nuclear test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory to study fuels and materials.

Besides INL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory had been considered as a potential site for the Versatile Test Reactor. ORNL remains one of five national laboratories that are partners on the project. DOE said building the test reactor at INL is its preferred alternative.

TBI investigating man’s death

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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of a 39-year-old man during an interaction with Oak Ridge police officers in the Hendrix Creek subdivision on Sunday afternoon.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers had made contact with the man, Tyler Jones, after receiving a report of a suspicious person around Heritage Drive, the TBI said. He began showing signs of distress, and medical personnel were called.

“At some point during the encounter, after medical personnel arrived, Jones became unresponsive,” the TBI said. “Officers immediately rendered aid until paramedics arrived. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

[Read more…]

Luminarias to feature peace messages

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Photo credit: National Park Service/B. Burghart

Luminarias with peace messages will be lit this year to remember and acknowledge the atomic bombings of Japan in August 1945, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park said.

A luminaria is a lantern with a candle inside a small paper bag.

The peace messages will be written by the public before events in August, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park said.

[Read more…]

DOE bus tours restart in Oak Ridge

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U.S. Department of Energy public bus tours have resumed in Oak Ridge after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo from DOE)

U.S. Department of Energy public bus tours have resumed in Oak Ridge after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tours began running again on July 11, and they are scheduled to continue through November.

“The program is a longtime staple in the community, helping educate residents and visitors about the site’s rich history and current missions,” DOE said in an EM Update newsletter published Tuesday. (EM stands for environmental management.)

The tour program started in 1996 and has attracted tens of thousands of visitors from all 50 states, DOE said.

The three-and-a-half-hour tours allow visitors to see all three DOE sites on the Oak Ridge Reservation, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Y-12 National Security Complex, and East Tennessee Technology Park.

[Read more…]

Repairs set for S. Illinois Ave. this week

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The City of Oak Ridge Public Works Department will be making asphalt repairs to South Illinois Avenue this week, weather permitting, a press release said.

The work will be in the northbound lanes across from Badger Avenue near Sonic and stopping at Oak Ridge Turnpike. Crews are set to begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Oak Ridge Public Works Department at (865) 425-1875 or visit OakRidgeTN.gov.

‘Forever Plaid’ to open at Oak Ridge Playhouse

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‘Forever Plaid’ opens at the Oak Ridge Playhouse on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo submitted by Oak Ridge Playhouse)

Submitted

“Forever Plaid” is scheduled for performances at the Oak Ridge Playhouse from July 21 to July 31.

Featuring vintage songs from the 1950s and 1960s, “Forever Plaid” is a timeless revue centered around the close-harmony guy group Forever Plaid. [Read more…]

Crews prepare former ORNL reactors for demolition

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An aerial view of the central campus area at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management will be transforming in the months ahead. Demolition is scheduled to begin on Building 3010 (front right) this fall followed by Building 3005 (back right) later this year. Crews are also conducting cleanup projects in Building 3042 (left). (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management)

The U.S. Department of Energy and cleanup contractor UCOR are preparing to demolish research reactor facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Crews are nearing the final stages of deactivation inside two former research reactor facilities: the Bulk Shielding Reactor, known as Building 3010, and the Low Intensity Test Reactor, known as Building 3005, according to a newsletter published by DOE’s Office of Environmental Management. They are also beginning efforts at the Oak Ridge Research Reactor, known as Building 3042.

The work is overseen by DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, or OREM.

These structures are located in the heart of ORNL, and their demolition will eliminate risks, clear land for research missions, and enhance access to a component of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, the department said.

[Read more…]

Zacharia retiring as ORNL director

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Thomas Zacharia has served as laboratory director since July 2017. (Photo credit: Carlos Jones/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy)

Thomas Zacharia plans to retire as director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory at the end of 2022 after 35 years at the nation’s largest science and energy laboratory, a press release said.

Zacharia has served as laboratory director since July 2017, overseeing the lab’s extensive $2.5 billion research portfolio and staff of nearly 6, the press release said.

“An incredible leader, extraordinary collaborator, and powerhouse innovator, Thomas is leaving a profound impact on ORNL and the world,” said Randy Boyd, University of Tennessee system president and chairman of the UT-Battelle board of governors. UT-Battelle operates ORNL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

In his tenure as lab director, Zacharia spearheaded significant growth in ORNL’s staff and portfolio, established new research initiatives, and guided the lab through the COVID-19 pandemic, the press release said.

Among milestones during Zacharia’s tenure as director, the press release said, the laboratory has:

[Read more…]