Oak Ridge Today

Red light camera ‘scam’ actually an ORAU training exercise

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Note: This story was last updated at 9:25 a.m. Nov. 19.

The red light camera scam that authorities warned about on Monday evening was actually a training exercise intended to only be used internally at Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The e-mails were created as part of ORAU’s cybersecurity training, and they were meant to help educate employees about so-called “phishing” scams.

The e-mails told recipients they had been captured on camera running a red light and had to pay a $50 fine. They instructed recipients to pay a fine through a PayPal link and warned them they could be subject to an extra $95 fee if they failed to do so. [Read more…]

ORAU exceeds $100,000 in annual giving campaign for sixth consecutive year

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ORAU Annual Giving

The 2013 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign Chair Sarah Roberts, pictured far right; Co-Chair Michael Ickowitz, pictured far left; ORAU President and CEO Andy Page, pictured second from left; and keynote speaker Edwena Crowe, one of four Crowe Family members serving as the 2013 United Way of Anderson County Campaign Family, reveal ORAU’s combined giving total of $132,109.32.

For the sixth year in a row, Oak Ridge Associated Universities has broken the $100,000 mark in donations as part of the annual giving campaign for the United Way and Community Shares, a press release said.

During a concluding ceremony on Nov. 12 in the ORAU Pollard Technology Conference Center, ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page announced the 2013 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign total donation amount—$132,109.32. As part of the total donation, ORAU gave $98,432.34 to the United Way and $33,676.98 to Community Shares. [Read more…]

ORAU awards $39,000 in education grants to East Tennessee schools

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ORAU Education Grants

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awards 27 teachers from 17 East Tennessee schools more than $39,000 during a recent grants ceremony. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awarded more than $39,000 to more than two dozen teachers in 17 schools in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and Anderson County in a recent grants ceremony.

It was the 12th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony, and 27 teachers received awards, a press release said.

The grant money can be used to buy educational materials and equipment such as microscopes, iPads, robotics kits, and computers that will help teachers “continue to meet rigorous, state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students,” the release said. [Read more…]

ORAU names associate director of scientific, technical resource integration

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David Duncan

David Duncan

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has appointed David Duncan as associate director of its scientific and technical resource integration program.

In his new role, Duncan is responsible for managing research peer review activities that coordinate the use of independent, expert reviewers to evaluate proposals and scientific and technical information for a variety of federal and state funding agencies. Additionally, he is responsible for identifying viable options for new business development and for establishing and developing business networks and partnerships. [Read more…]

ORAU names employee relations, diversity director

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Mae Mosley

Mae Mosley

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has named Mae Mosley director of employee relations and diversity.

In her new position, Mosley will manage and direct ORAU’s employee relations and diversity, and oversee the organization’s occupational health functions, services and programs.

Additionally, Mosley will provide advice and consultation to employees, managers, and ORAU executives relating to disciplinary processes, human behavior modification, equal employment, and affirmative action goals. She will also serve as a technical advisor to the ORAU Diversity Council. [Read more…]

ORAU seeks applicants for Extreme Classroom Makeover

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ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover

Oak Ridge Associated Universities will have its Extreme Classroom Makeover for the sixth year. Teachers who are interested in participating and within 50 miles of Oak Ridge must file an intent to apply by Sept. 13. (Image courtesy ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities announced on Wednesday that it will have its Extreme Classroom Makeover for the sixth year.

The makeover will be awarded to one lucky school teacher, a press release said. The award provides $25,000 worth of the latest educational technologies, training, and/or support. Teachers interested in competing must file their intent to apply no later than Sept. 13. [Read more…]

ORAU named a Best Diversity Company by readers of Diversity/Careers magazine

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Organization receives the honor for four consecutive years

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. ORAU was one of only four organizations to be ranked as a diversity leader in the “research” category and one of 94 organizations to be ranked highest overall.

“Over the years, ORAU has evolved from an organization of people who accept diversity into one that embraces it,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “Not only have we embraced a culture of diversity in the workplace, but we have extended that commitment into all facets of our business operations including significant minority and female participation in our science education programs, targeted small business subcontracting partnerships, and community-based outreach.” [Read more…]

ORAU wins $6.5 million contract from Pennsylvania Department of Health

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has won a five-year, $6.5 million contract from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health to manage peer and performance reviews. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has won a five-year, $6.5 million contract from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health to manage peer and performance reviews.

As part of this contract, ORAU will assist the Department of Health in meeting its mission to fund Pennsylvania research organizations to conduct biomedical, clinical, and health services research projects using peer review as part of the grant selection process and performance reviews to assess ongoing and completed grants. [Read more…]

College of American Pathologists renews accreditation of beryllium laboratory managed by ORAU

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The College of American Pathologists, or CAP, has renewed its accreditation of the Beryllium Laboratory managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Located in Oak Ridge, the laboratory is one of only four in the United States certified to perform the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. This test helps to determine if a person has developed sensitization to beryllium, which could evolve into chronic beryllium disease also known in the past as berylliosis. Inquiries regarding the test and how to access lab services can be sent to occ.health@orau.org. [Read more…]

ORAU wins $4.2 million contract from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities is the sole recipient of a $4.2 million blanket purchase agreement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide peer and merit review services, a press release said.

ORAU’s five-year, blanket purchase agreement with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate Office of University Programs, or OUP, includes managing and conducting subject matter expert peer and merit reviews for research, analysis, and technical services. [Read more…]

Science Saturdays attract hundreds of students for lectures, tours

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Science Saturday Tour of Spallation Neutron Source

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Clarina De la Cruz, left, gives a tour of the Spallation Neutron Source to Science Saturday attendees Allison Campbell, Michael Campbell, Krista Barrett, and Joseph Gibbs. (Image courtesy of ORNL)

By Morgan McCorkle

Hundreds of science-minded students bypassed Saturday morning cartoons this semester, opting instead to participate in the first year of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Science Saturdays program.

Open to students in grades 8-12, the program’s free weekend lectures and hands-on activities centered on the science of rainbows, robotics and remote handling, the materials genome, crystals, biofuels, supercomputing, climate change, and more. [Read more…]

ORAU awards 30 research grants to junior faculty

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities has awarded competitive research grants totaling $150,000 to 30 junior faculty from ORAU member institutions. The annual grants are made through the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards program that provides funds to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty.

The recipients, each of whom is in the first two years of a tenure track position, will receive $5,000 in “seed money” for the 2013-2014 academic year to enhance their research during the early stages of their career. Each recipient’s institution also matches the ORAU award with an additional $5,000, making the total prize worth $10,000 for each winner. Winners may use the grants to purchase equipment, continue research, or travel to professional meetings and conferences. [Read more…]