Huixin (Anna) Jiang
President
Huixin is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Nanomaterials Chemistry Group of the Chemical Science Division at ORNL. She received a Ph.D. in Energy and Environment Science from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan in 2017. Her research interests are material development, characterization, and applications, focusing on nanomaterials, ultraconductive films, biomass, and polymers, and air quality improvement. During her spare time, she is active in learning new things and volunteering, such as learning business analytics and being an assistant den leader for Boy Scouts of America.
Małgorzata Makoś
Vice-President
Małgorzata completed her Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry at Southern Methodist University. Her dissertation focused on the study of reaction mechanisms for transition metal and actinide catalysis based on quantum chemical methods ranging from local vibrational spectroscopy, relativity to machine learning. In 2023, Malgorzata joined Chemical Sciences Division at ORNL, where she continues studying heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, materials, their reaction mechanisms, and works on applying and developing computational chemistry and machine learning methods to study large-scale reactions.
Jayasai Rajagopal
Secretary
Jayasai works as a postdoctoral research associate in the Multiscale Biomedical Systems Group under the Computational Science and Engineering Division. His work focuses on the application of high-performance computing to computed tomography simulation and virtual imaging trials. He completed his PhD in Medical Physics under a joint program between Duke University and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center focusing on acquisition physics, clinical applications, and algorithm development for spectral and photon-counting CT.
Steven Hespeler
Treasurer
Steven is a postdoctoral researcher and experienced mathematical programmer, currently focused on utilizing sensory data from physical components to enable smart systems, structures and manufacturing processes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). With a doctoral degree in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Applied Statistics, Dr. Hespeler is at the forefront, pushing the frontier of research within the data science and Machine Learning (ML) sphere. He works within the Computer Science and Mathematics Division and Systems and Decision Sciences Group at ORNL.
Janet Meier
New Hire Chair
Janet joined ORNL in September 2022 after completing her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Ohio State University. At ORNL, she is part of the Alloy Behavior and Design Group in the MTSD. Her work focuses on combining computational thermodynamics, atomistic first principles modeling, and advanced characterization techniques to understand how processing and other elements modify the properties of alloys from the atomistic to macro scales. When she is not in the lab, Janet enjoys being out in nature, observing birds, quilting, and baking.
Aniket Pramanik
Research Co-Chair
Aniket is a postdoctoral research associate at the Electrification and Energy Infrastructures Division (EEID) in ORNL. Previously, he completed his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Iowa, USA. His current research involves solving inverse problems in imaging systems such as MRI, CT using physics informed neural networks. Aniket’s hobbies include singing and long-distance running. He has a YouTube channel where he uploads his recorded songs. As a matter of fact, he recently completed a 25km long trail run!
George Yumnam
Research Co-Chair
George is a postdoctoral research associate in the Neutron and X-ray scattering Group at Materials Science and Technology Division. He got his Ph.D in Physics from the University of Missouri Columbia in 2022. Currently, Dr. Yumnam utilizes neutron and x-ray scattering techniques as a probe to study hybrid excitations in quantum materials. During his free time, he likes to go on long drives and long hikes.
Dengpan Dong
Social & Well-being Co-Chair
Dengpan (Deng) received his Ph.D. degree in materials science and engineering in the end of 2018. His research interests focus on using molecular simulations to investigate multi-complex materials and interfaces. He is also an active developer of polarizable and non-polarizable potentials. Currently, he is working in the Chemical Separation Group to obtain molecular-level fundamental understandings for the development of polymer antiscalants, behaviors of liquid-air interfaces, and more.
Ernesto Camilo Zuleta Suarez
Social & Well-being Co-Chair
Ernesto earned his Ph.D. degree in Energy Science and Engineering from The University of Tennessee, completing his doctoral studies under the guidance of Dr. Joseph J. Bozell. His current research interests at the Energy Storage Group revolve around the development and testing of lab-scale redox flow batteries and other electrochemical systems. He also performs characterization studies of flow battery components, such as anolyte/catholyte, current collectors, and membranes.
April Armes
Outreach Chair
April is a Postdoctoral Researcher in BESSD at ORNL. Previously, April worked on developing phytosensors that respond to ecological and biological threats at UTIA. In 2021, she received her PhD in Microbiology from UT. Her dissertation research explored microbial interactions within a microbial community. Currently, she focuses on microbially produced secondary metabolites' impact on Eastern Cottonwood. Beyond her research, April is committed to science communication and outreach through nonprofit organizations like 500 Women Scientists and the Society for Creative Anachronism.
ChristiAnna Brantley
Communications Chair
ChristiAnna is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Isotope Applications Research Group in RSTD at ORNL. She completed her Ph.D in 2022 from UF with research in metal oxide cluster chemistry working with different 3d/4f transition metals for magnetism, catalysis, and quantum device applications. Her current interests include inorganic and organic materials with radionucleotides for medicinal and technological applications. She is an advocate for STEM outreach and enjoys volunteering. In her spare time, she is an avid photographer.
Moody Altamimi
Advisor
Moody is the founding director for the Office of Research Excellence (ORE) at ORNL. ORE supports ORNL’s aspiration to be the world’s premier R&D institution by fostering an inclusive ecosystem for thriving research careers, ensuring impactful student experiences, increasing recognition of our staff for their impact, and facilitating strategic engagement with consortia and universities, enhancing lab-wide diversity efforts and future workforce development.
Laurie Varma
Advisor
Laurie serves as Early Career Programs Specialist in the Office of Research Excellence. She supports the Oak Ridge Postdoctoral Association Executive Committee in their efforts to make an impact on the Oak Ridge National Laboratory campus, providing guidance related to projects, events, planning, reporting, and budget.