Oak Ridge Today

ORAU announces Jenni Hoff as new acting director for NIOSH project along with Chris Tornes as acting deputy director

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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Jenni Hoff, Ph.D., assumed the duties of acting project director for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on the Energy Employee’s Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Hoff replaced Kate Kimpan, who retired after 18 years as project director, effective June 8.

Since 2002, ORAU has served as the prime contractor to NIOSH on the EEOICPA. This Act, passed by the US Congress in 2000, created a compensation program based on radiation exposure dose reconstruction, for workers in the U.S. nuclear weapons complex who were diagnosed with cancer.
The ORAU Team (ORAU in tandem with their teaming partners MJW Technical Services and NV5/Dade Moeller) has spent the past 22 years working for NIOSH and their Division of Compensation Analysis and Support to process claims for ill workers and their survivors.

ORAU has named Hoff, currently deputy project director, as the acting project director.

“ORAU is excited for Jenni Hoff to take on this new position since she has been on the NIOSH project since May 2003 in various leadership roles with increasing responsibility, and she is incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of the program,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page.

Hoff received her undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Taking over the vacated deputy director position in an acting capacity will be Chris Tornes, who brings more than 20 years of experience serving on the project. Tornes received his undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering and master’s degree in health physics from the University of Cincinnati.

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 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. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org.

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Ken Tarcza joins ORAU as chief of staff

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Ken Tarcza

Ken Tarcza has joined Oak Ridge Associated Universities as chief of staff.

Tarcza comes to ORAU after an impressive military and federal career, a press release said.

A graduate of West Point, Tarcza spent his military career serving in numerous roles, including assistant professor of mechanical engineering at West Point; commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Southern Europe office in Wiesbaden, Germany; and chief of staff for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

After retiring from the military in 2015, he went on to be a supervisory physical scientist for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground before being named manager for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office and Office of Science Integrated Support Center/Consolidated Service Center in 2016. There, Tarcza and his organization helped enable more than $10 billion of annual program activity, the press release said. [Read more…]

Jamie Stalker joins ORAU as physician and co-lead for NSSP

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Jamie Stalker, M.D., has joined ORAU as physician and co-principal investigator for the National Supplemental Screening Program. She will be located in ORAU’s Arvada, Colorado, office and work with John McInerney, M.D., who currently leads the program and is beginning his transition to retirement, a press release said.

“Dr. Stalker brings extensive experience in the Department of Energy occupational medicine arena, including a deep familiarity with the DOE Former Worker Programs as a former NSSP Advisory Committee member,” said Andy Page, ORAU President and chief executive officer. “We are excited to welcome her to our team and have her lead this outstanding group.”

ORAU has managed the program since its inception in 2005, and McInerney has led this program since 2006. It provides free medical screening, nationwide, for former energy workers who may have been exposed to hazardous substances at work. The screenings are designed to identify occupational diseases such as chronic respiratory illnesses, hearing loss, kidney or liver disease, and some forms of cancer. More than 22,000 enrollees have signed up for free health screening. [Read more…]

NASA selects ORAU for postdoc program

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Part of the ORAU campus in central Oak Ridge is pictured above on May 29, 2017. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

NASA has selected Oak Ridge Associated Universities to provide the agency with administrative support and coordination of research opportunities between NASA’s mission directorates and centers across the agency.

The NASA Postdoctoral Program 2 (NPP-2) contract is a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with a maximum potential value of approximately $129.7 million. The one-year base performance period begins September 9, 2021, and it is followed by four one-year options, which would end September 8, 2026, NASA said in a press release.

[Read more…]

ORAU awards $25,000 to Union Grove Elementary in Extreme Classroom Makeover

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The winner of ORAU’s 2020 Extreme Classroom Makeover competition, Amy Buchanan from Union Grove Elementary School, was surprised at her house with the Extreme Classroom Makeover winner reveal. Her principal, Kristy Brewer, and fellow staff from Union Grove Elementary School joined in the celebration. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

 

Amy Buchanan encourages students at Union Grove Elementary School to imagine a world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) beyond the limitations of the classroom.

ORAU (Oak Ridge Associated Universities) wanted to help Buchanan and her students do more than imagine.

ORAU recently surprised Buchanan at her house with $25,000 for new classroom technology. This award will allow students to explore, touch, and see the STEM classroom they’ve only imagined.

ORAU chose Buchanan, who serves as the STEM teacher for all of Union Grove Elementary in Blount County, to be the recipient of this year’s Extreme Classroom Makeover competition. She was selected after a review of her submitted video, which demonstrated the rural school’s need for STEM resources. [Read more…]

ORAU’s Cindy Snow promoted to director of procurement

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Cindy Snow

 

Cindy Snow has been promoted to director of procurement for Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

As a long-time employee of ORAU, Snow has experience in both contracts administration and the management of purchasing company equipment, materials, supplies, and professional services, a press release said. In her new role, she will direct all ORAU procurement and small business activities and staff, including internal purchases, acquisitions and sub-contracting, and ensure excellent customer service to internal and external clients, the press release said.

“We are proud to see an employee as dedicated to ORAU as Cindy take this next step in the company,” said Andy Page, ORAU president and chief executive officer. “She has held numerous leadership roles, and we know she will only continue to prosper as our director of procurement. We all offer her sincere congratulations and look forward to what she accomplishes in this new role.” [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…]

ORAU, Thurgood Marshall College Fund expand STEM opportunities for HBCU students, faculty

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ORAU and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund have joined forces to expand STEM research opportunities for students and faculty at historically black colleges and universities. On hand to sign a memorandum of understanding on March 29, 2019, were, left to right, Harry Williams, president of TMCF; Joyce Payne, founder; Andy Page, ORAU president and CEO; Desmond Stubbs, ORAU director of diversity initiatives; and Michael Stubblefield, vice chancellor for research and strategic initiatives at Southern University and A&M College, an ORAU consortium member institution. (Photo by ORAU)

ORAU and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund have joined forces to expand STEM research opportunities for students and faculty at historically black colleges and universities. On hand to sign a memorandum of understanding on March 29, 2019, were, left to right, Harry Williams, president of TMCF; Joyce Payne, founder; Andy Page, ORAU president and CEO; Desmond Stubbs, ORAU director of diversity initiatives; and Michael Stubblefield, vice chancellor for research and strategic initiatives at Southern University and A&M College, an ORAU consortium member institution. (Photo by ORAU)

 

The nation’s historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving educational institutions are often untapped resources abounding in talent, ingenuity, and expertise, but lacking in the material resources necessary for scientific research, a press release said.

Tapping into those resources is a big part of the reason ORAU and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund officially began a working relationship with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Oak Ridge on Friday, March 29, the press release said.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is the nation’s largest organization exclusively supporting all 47 public historically black colleges and universities.

ORAU is a national leader in connecting the best and most diverse students, recent graduates, faculty members, and professionals with meaningful mentored research experiences at national labs and other federal research facilities around the country, the press release said. [Read more…]

Registration for Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit extended through today

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Registration for the Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit in Oak Ridge this month has been extended through today (Friday, May 18).

The TVC Summit is scheduled from Tuesday, May 29, to Thursday, May 31, at the New Hope Center at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Organizers said the Summit will include five main sessions focused on clean energy, cyber and national security, advanced manufacturing, and education. The Summit will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the City of Oak Ridge, the 85th anniversary of Tennessee Valley Authority, and 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 8 Mission.

There will be more than 50 speakers, panelists, and presenters, ranging from university and community college presidents to entrepreneurs to top leaders of the region’s federal contractors. More than 400 community, academic, and government leaders from the five-state region are expected to participate, organizers said. [Read more…]

ORAU awards $36,000 in education grants to local teachers

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Teachers representing 14 schools in Anderson County received STEM teaching tools, new technology, and grant funds worth $36,000 on Sept. 11 at the 2017 ORAU Education Grants Award Ceremony & Reception in Pollard Technology Conference Center. (Submitted photo)

Teachers representing 14 schools in Anderson County received STEM teaching tools, new technology, and grant funds worth $36,000 on Sept. 11 at the 2017 ORAU Education Grants Award Ceremony & Reception in Pollard Technology Conference Center. (Submitted photo)

 

ORAU awarded 38 teachers from 14 East Tennessee schools more than $36,000 on Monday at the 16th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony.

Educational materials and equipment purchased with the grant awards—such as iPads, computer software, robotics kits, and more—will help teachers continue to meet state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students in STEM subjects, a press release said.

“ORAU is proud to support schools in Anderson County by helping local educators obtain the resources and tools required to engage students of all ages in STEM subjects while enriching their education,” ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page said. “These educators never fail to demonstrate their dedication to student success.”

Since beginning the Education Grant program in 2002, ORAU has provided more than $487,000 to area schools to fund educational projects that complement its mission of enriching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, the press release said. [Read more…]

ORAU awards $25,000 Extreme Classroom Makeover to Rutledge Middle School

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Kyle Roach and his students at Rutlege Middle School are pictured above after being announced winner of the 2017 ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover on Thursday, April 20, 2017. (Photo by ORAU)

Kyle Roach and his students at Rutlege Middle School are pictured above after being announced winner of the 2017 ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover on Thursday, April 20, 2017. (Photo by ORAU)

 

Kyle Roach, seventh-grade math teacher at Rutledge Middle School, believes that every student should be taught the necessary skills to empower them as they pursue a higher education. This vision, along with the idea that the school’s current technology is outdated, was the main theme in a video submitted for the 2017 ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover Contest.

Roach’s goal of having the necessary tools to help empower students and excite them about math-related subjects was realized Thursday as ORAU President Andy Page presented Roach with a $25,000 technology makeover during a surprise assembly announcement. The funding is part of ORAU’s annual Extreme Classroom Makeover competition, now in its ninth year, a press release said.

In the winning video, Roach and his students made a case for purchasing laptops and computer software to update their “archaic communication devices,” better known as whiteboards. Roach explained that he would use the computer software to create interactive math manipulatives to assist students in learning difficult skills.

“Our nation’s teachers have the difficult but important task of educating the next generation STEM workforce,” Page said in the press release. “ORAU believes that through programs like the Extreme Classroom Makeover, we can help standout teachers like Mr. Roach by providing them with necessary materials to engage and excited students in the areas of science, engineering, technology, and math.” [Read more…]

ORAU welcomes four new directors to its board

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ORAU recently announced the election of four new members to its Board of Directors during the 72nd annual meeting of its Council of Sponsoring Institutions. The board provides policy and fiduciary oversight of ORAU operations for its membership. The following leaders are newly elected board members:

  • Barry Burks, Ph.D., North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
  • Patricia Dehmer, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Energy (retired)
  • Michele Masucci, Ph.D., Temple University
  • Debra Reinhart, Ph.D., University of Central Florida, Council vice chair

Three board members were re-elected. Taylor Eighmy, Ph.D., is vice chancellor for research and engagement at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Dennis J. Hejlik is a senior fellow at the National Defense University and is a lieutenant general, U.S. Marine Corps (retired). Jeffrey Smith is deputy director of operations at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“These new directors and re-elected directors bring strong leadership and experience in diverse fields from economic development to strategic research to defense,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “Their insights and vast knowledge of government and business practices will serve as invaluable as we create new opportunities for ORAU.” [Read more…]