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…]

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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ORAU names Brandon Criswell associate general counsel

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Oak Ridge, Tenn. — Brandon Criswell has recently joined ORAU as associate general counsel.
In his role, Criswell will assist ORAU’s programs and internal business clients with counsel concerning legal rights, contractual obligations, compliance and risk.

“We are excited that Brandon will be joining our team,” said Rachel Lokitz, vice president and general counsel. “Brandon brings experience in counseling clients in multiple areas of civil and business law. He has developed a broad set of skills as an attorney that will translate well to the ORAU General Counsel’s office.”
Criswell has spent the last three years as an associate attorney for Owings, Wilson and Coleman in Knoxville, Tenn., where he advised businesses and professional organizations, consulted for nonprofits and assisted clients in navigating the legal system. Criswell’s experience has mainly been as legal counsel to businesses, LLCs and nonprofits, which has given him the opportunity to advise on a wide range of corporate administrative dealings.

Criswell graduated cum laude from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law in 2018, where he received the top grade in Property I, Administrative Law. He received a bachelor of arts in history from the University of Tennessee in 2015.

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

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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 announces recipients of 2020 Pollard Scholarships

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Audra Jean “AJ” Jones

 

ORAU has awarded five William G. Pollard Scholarships of $2,500 each toward undergraduate studies for the 2020-2021 academic year. The recipients of this year’s scholarships are Jamie Batson, Cody Blankenship, Olivia Hudson, Audra Jean “AJ” Jones, and Savannah Jones.

Each year, ORAU awards these scholarships to employees’ children or stepchildren who display exceptional achievements in their high school or undergraduate studies. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended, three references (at least two of which must be from teachers), and a 500-word essay describing professional and personal interests.

Here are more details about this year’s winners: [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, ORISE permit some work from home

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

ORAU and ORISE—which work for more than 20 different federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—are allowing employees to work from home when possible.

ORAU and ORISE have authorized executives and directors to approve work from home for employees who are able to perform their job responsibilities at home, such as office workers.

Some employees will be required to report to work to continue operations, including in some laboratories, in information technology for computer support, and for security, for example.

ORAU is Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and ORISE is Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

The work-from-home authorization was implemented this week, and ORAU and ORISE don’t have final numbers of the numbers of employees who are or will be working from home.

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

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

 

ORAU will again sponsor young researchers in the fields of mathematics and computer science to attend the Seventh Heidelberg Laureate Forum from September 22-27 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, a press release said.

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, the press release said. [Read more…]

Leading AI expert, ORHS grad to be featured at reception, talk on Monday

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Submitted photo

Kai-Fu Lee—a world leading artificial intelligence expert, venture capitalist, author, and founder of Google China and Microsoft Research Asia—will discuss artificial intelligence in Oak Ridge on Monday.

The May 6 talk is titled “Making AI Work.”

The public is invited to attend a community reception for, and also lecture by, Lee at Pollard Auditorium from 5:30-7:30 p.m., a press release said.

Lee, a 1979 Oak Ridge High School graduate, is being hosted by the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, UT-Battelle, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and Friends of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the press release said.

[Read more…]

A former Oak Ridge student, artificial intelligence expert to visit city, talk at evening ceremony

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The cover of Kai-Fu Lee's book, "AI Superpowers." (Submitted)

The cover of Kai-Fu Lee’s book, “AI Superpowers.” (Submitted)

 

Kai-Fu Lee—a world-leading artificial intelligence expert, venture capitalist, writer, and former president of Google China—is planning a visit to Oak Ridge on May 6, a press release said.

Lee, a 1979 Oak Ridge High School graduate, will visit his former schools, St. Mary’s Catholic School and Oak Ridge Schools, meeting with students and teachers during the day, the press release said.

The public is invited to an evening ceremony at Pollard Auditorium including a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Lee’s talk at 6:30. This community event will be hosted by the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, UT-Battelle, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and Friends of ORNL. Lee will be available to sign his most recent best-selling book, “AI Super-Powers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase, the press release said. [Read more…]