Oak Ridge Today

ORAU awarded $7 million NRC training contract

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

Federal contractor to deliver both classroom and online training for agency’s health physicists

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has awarded Oak Ridge Associated Universities a five-year, $7.3 million contract to support radiation training activities for the agency. ORAU has assisted the NRC with similar training since 1992.

“We are pleased that NRC has chosen ORAU to continue supporting training for its employees as they carry out their critical mission of ensuring the safety of our nation’s nuclear facilities,” said Andy Page, ORAU president and chief executive officer. “Our team of health physicists have built in-depth knowledge of radiation sciences that extends back to our founding in 1946 as the Oak Ridge Institute for Nuclear Studies. We welcome the opportunity to share our expertise through our long-standing partnership with the NRC.” [Read more…]

New film on former ORNL Director Weinberg has premiere on April 23

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Alvin Weinberg Poster

The world premiere of a new film on the life of former Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Alvin Weinberg will be held on Thursday, April 23, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. The film was written and directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker and Oak Ridge resident Keith McDaniel.

Although McDaniel has written and directed more than a dozen documentary films, he is generally best known for his films “Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story” and “The Clinton 12.”

According to McDaniel, the biographical documentary entitled “Alvin Weinberg” explores the life of the internationally renowned nuclear scientist.

“I didn’t know Dr. Weinberg very well although I did interview him a couple of years prior to his death,” McDaniel said. “His was a fascinating life. In making this film, I wanted to not only tell stories of his professional achievements but I also wanted to show what Dr. Weinberg was like as a person.” [Read more…]

20th Anniversary Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit at ETSU May 27-28

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Tennessee Valley Corridor Logo

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The Tennessee Valley Corridor will hold its 20th Annual TVC National Summit in Johnson City at East Tennessee State University on May 27-28.

The Summit will be hosted by ETSU President Brian Noland, in cooperation with Congressman Phil Roe, with the theme “Education Fuels the TVC Economy.”

“From our region’s community colleges to our outstanding four-year universities, the Corridor has a strong foundation to prepare the next generation of the workforce,” Roe said. “As co-chairman of the Tennessee Valley Corridor Caucus, I look forward to sharing some of the work that is ongoing in Congress. The Summit will look at education from the business and industry perspective and discuss how to ensure the workforce has the skills they need to find quality jobs at home, and how our educational institutions can partner with businesses and organizations for better success, which is critical for us all to learn about.” [Read more…]

ORAU: Science-societal relationship critical to success of big data analysis

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

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Leading experts present challenges during ORAU annual meeting

Today’s scientists working with big data to identify the next breakthrough in medical care, environmental solutions, or other critical areas need to be skillful in data analytics but also adept at communications. That was one of the key insights attendees heard recently at ORAU’s 70th annual meeting of its Council of Sponsoring Institutions, titled “Big Data Analytics: Challenges and Opportunities.”

“For science to prosper, the science-society relationship must be positive and strong,” said keynote speaker Alan Leshner, chief executive officer emeritus for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS. Leshner, who holds a doctorate in physiological psychology from Rutgers University, told the audience that many scientists are not prepared to talk about their work and its implications with the public. [Read more…]

Dainiak named director of REAC/TS

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Nicholas Dainiak

Nicholas Dainiak

Radiation response specialist has more than 35 years of medical expertise

Nicholas Dainiak has been named director of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site, or REAC/TS, at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

A deployable asset of the U.S. Department of Energy, REAC/TS provides 24/7 emergency medical response for incidents involving radiation anywhere in the world, a press release said. REAC/TS also provides direct support for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Emergency Operations and the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center, or FRMAC.

Adding to its depth of radiation response and consultation capabilities, REAC/TS is uniquely qualified to teach medical personnel, health physicists, first responders, and occupational health professionals about radiation emergency medicine, the release said. REAC/TS also operates an acytogenetic biodosimetry laboratory, one of only two in the U.S., where chromosome aberration analysis is used for ionizing radiation dose assessment. [Read more…]

ORAU receives $23 million contract for DOE worker screening program

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

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The Department of Energy has awarded ORAU a five-year, $23 million contract to continue managing its National Supplemental Screening Program. ORAU has managed this worker health screening program for DOE since 2005. The screening programs are free for former energy workers who may have been exposed to hazardous substances at work.

“We are pleased that DOE has once again entrusted us with this significant responsibility to provide a vital service for their former workers,” said Andy Page, ORAU president and chief executive officer. “Our team, including doctors and other medical specialists, understands the importance of this project and welcomes the opportunity to continue lending their expertise to this service for the former workers.”

To provide the NSSP services, ORAU partners with Comprehensive Health Services Inc., National Jewish Health, the University of Colorado, Denver Health Sciences Center, and Axion Health. [Read more…]

Closings: City Hall, ORAU, Chamber, OSTI, DOE-ORO, Y-12; no trash pickup

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Note: This story was last updated at 11:39 a.m.

Here are more closings announced for Tuesday, as well as a few that were announced previously. Some previous announcements have been revised, mostly changing from a late opening to a closing.

The City of Oak Ridge offices will be closed today, Tuesday, February 17, due to icy roads. The Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for tonight has also be canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Waste Connections will not be conducting trash pick up today and will be on a one-day delay.

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office (the Federal Building) and DOE’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information will be closed due to hazardous weather conditions. Employees with situational telework agreements in place are expected to telework. [Read more…]

ORAU wins contract worth up to $89 million from EPA

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities recently won a five-year contract worth up to $89 million from the Environmental Protection Agency to manage the EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program, which provides opportunities for exceptional undergraduate and recent bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates to participate in the EPA-sanctioned research and administrative projects.

Through this work, ORAU will recruit and place employees at 13 EPA Office of Research and Development laboratories and research centers across the U.S.  These participants in both business and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields will receive hands-on training in real-world settings at these laboratories and research centers while contributing to EPA’s mission, a press release said. [Read more…]

ORAU, MCLinc donate services to Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign

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ORAU Survey Team

An environmental survey team from ORAU partnered with Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. to provide sampling and laboratory analysis for Emory Valley Center, which is in the initial stages of demolishing an old building on its campus to make room for a new facility. The ORAU survey team consisting of Tim Vitkus, Adam Kirthlink, Jason Lee, Daniel Edds, Evan Harpeneau, and Mark Berkheimer donated their time and performed sampling to identify any contaminants that may be present at the site. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. recently joined together to donate a total of $9,000 in services to Emory Valley Center in support of their Capital Campaign for a new facility.

The new building will incorporate many features to enhance the lives of people with disabilities being served, including a Job Training Center, Life Enrichment Classrooms, Adult Day Center, Medical Clinic, Speech, Physical and Occupational Services, Gym, and more, a press release said.

An environmental survey team from ORAU partnered with Oak Ridge-based Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc., or MCLinc, to provide sampling and laboratory analysis for Emory Valley Center, which is in the initial stages of demolishing an old building on its campus to make room for the new facility. [Read more…]

Mason, Coffey receive 2014 Muddy Boot Awards

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Thom Mason and David Coffey

Thom Mason, left, and David Coffey, right (Photo courtesy East Tennessee Economic Council)

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Two titans of East Tennessee’s business community were honored Friday with the Muddy Boot Award, given by the East Tennessee Economic Council in an ongoing tribute to individuals who through their work and activities build a better community.

This year’s honorees were Thom Mason, director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and leader of other  state and local organizations, and David Coffey, a serial entrepreneur, past member of the Tennessee General Assembly, and a leader in promoting better education in the state.

ETEC also presented two Postma Young Professional Medals. Betsy Prine, a vice president of Gilmartin Engineering Services, and Cortney Piper, principal of Piper Communications, received the medals. The Economic Council’s annual celebratory event was keynoted by Tennessee Commissioner of Finance and Administration Larry Martin. University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro and Pete Craven also participated, with the event chaired by Bonnie Carroll of Information International Associates. [Read more…]

ORISE accepts apps for summer research with Homeland Security

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The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is accepting applications for the 2015 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions, or MSI. The program engages faculty and student teams in research that provides opportunities to better understand the mission and research needs of DHS and to strengthen the talent pool of scientists and engineers, a press release said.

ORISE administers the program for DHS through ORISE, which is managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities for the U.S. Department of Energy.

The 10-week summer research program provides faculty and student teams from Minority Serving Institutions with opportunities to conduct research at the university-based DHS Centers of Excellence. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate Centers of Excellence network is an extended consortium of hundreds of universities generating ground-breaking ideas for new technologies, while collaborating to serve DHS’ many mission needs, the press release said. [Read more…]

Honors: ORAU director receives Top Professionals Under 40 award

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ORAU Heidi Timmerman Award

Heidi H. Timmerman, center, accepts the Top Professionals Under 40 in Contract Management Award during the National Contract Management Association’s 33rd Annual Government Contract Management Symposiusm Fall Chapter Leader Summit 2014 Awards Reception. The award was presented by NCMA Executive Director Michael Fischetti, left, and NCMA President Larry Trowel. (Submitted photo)

 

Heidi H. Timmerman, director of procurement and contracts for Oak Ridge Associated Universities, was recently awarded the Top Professionals Under 40 in Contract Management distinction from the National Contract Management Association, a press release said.

Timmerman—who is responsible for overseeing ORAU’s activities related to prime contract administration, the Work for Others program under the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education contract, subcontract administration, and small business outreach—was recognized for being a top performer in the contract management profession under the age of 40.

This honor recognizes Timmerman for her contract management knowledge and willingness to mentor others, as well as her involvement with various community organizations such as NCMA and the United Way of Anderson County, the press release said. [Read more…]