Strong-Gunderson will be involved in developing criteria and standards for the certification of bioremediation technologies for the Department of Toxic Substances Control's hazardous waste technology program. Bioremediation technologies make use of select microorganisms to convert contaminants into non-harmful compounds.
Members of the workgroup will recommend evaluation criteria that will determine if a bioremediation technology is efficient, reliable and protective of public and occupational health and the environment. Terminology for judging a technology's performance will also be defined.
Thirteen researchers from the disciplines of environmental and public health microbiology, chemical and environmental engineering, chemistry, earth sciences and toxicology were selected for the workgroup.
Among her accolades, Strong-Gunderson has been honored twice by the Society for Technical Communications: in 1995 for Excellence in Publications for Trade/News Articles and in 1993 for the Award of Achievement for Scholarly/Professional Article. In 1993, she was also presented the Environmental Sciences Division Distinguished Achievement Award for Operational Support.
Strong-Gunderson started with ORNL during her postdoctoral work in 1991 before becoming a research staff member in 1994. Her research focuses on developing new bioremediation methods.
She obtained her bachelor's degree in zoology from North Dakota State University, a master's degree in zoology from North Dakota State University and a doctorate in zoology from Miami University.
ORNL, one of DOE's multiprogram national research and development facilities, is managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.