SRNL Connect December 2023
SRNL Researcher Sean Noble Wins Environmental Resilience Category at Inaugural Research SLAM
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) Researcher Sean Noble took first place in the Environmental Resilience category at the inaugural National Lab Research SLAM held Nov. 15 in Washington D.C.
The National Lab Research SLAM was a collaborative effort among the 17 Department of Energy national labs and highlighted DOE research programs, while educating policymakers and their staffs about the key role DOE national labs play in the nation’s innovation ecosystem and their impact on the nation.
Noble and 16 others presented compelling three-minute presentations about their research in lay person language. Sean’s presentation explained how his research in advanced computer modeling increased safety and productivity while reducing costs associated with mixing and transporting liquid waste.
Sponsored by the House Science and National Labs Caucus and the Senate National Labs Caucus, the SLAM highlights the importance of effective science communication, especially while communicating with the general public. The event offers career development opportunities for participants and provides visibility into scientific disciplines and research. Participating in the SLAM also promotes cross-discipline collaboration and networking opportunities with other national labs.
SRNL Backs Guard and Reserve
SRNL pledged its backing of the Guard and Reserve by signing a Statement of Support with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office established to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve and Guard service members and their civilian employers. By signing the Statement of Support, SRNL pledges:
- To fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
- To continually provide managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- To appreciate the values, leadership, and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and encourage opportunities to hire guardsmen, reservists and veterans.
- To continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.
“As SRNL employees, we maintain the highest level of integrity in everything we do; continuously strive to innovate in all aspects of our work; partner with our colleagues across the DOE complex and around the nation; and focus all our work to benefit our nation and our fellow citizens,” said Labora-tory Director Vahid Majidi. “We know that Guard and Reserve service members exemplify our core values and will work diligently to maintain excellence in science and technology, laboratory operations and community service.”
SRNL Celebrates Veterans Day
SRNL recognized its veterans during a Veterans Day Celebration at the Applied Research Center. Silver Bluff High School NJROTC presented the colors and Major Dwight Bradham was the keynote speaker. Each veteran received a special SRNL Veterans Day challenge coin and enjoyed lunch with SRNL leadership.
New Interactive Exhibit Opens at Savannah River Site Museum
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and the Savannah River Site (SRS) Museum in Aiken, South Carolina, cut the ribbon on a new interactive exhibit Wed., Nov. 30. The SRS Heritage Foun-dation Board of Directors and museum staff proposed development of an exhibit about radiation with a tie to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. An interactive component allows visitors to learn about radiation sources and how radioactive materials are detected and measured using a Geiger counter. With support from SRNL, a group of six SRNL volunteers worked with museum staff and others to put together the exhibit.
Savannah River Site (SRS) Museum staff, SRNL employees and representatives from Savannah River Site cut the ribbon on a new interactive exhibit about radiation. Pictured from left to right: (front row) Mike Budney, manager Savannah River Operations Office; SRNL volunteer Monica Phillips, SRNL Laboratory Director Vahid Majidi, SRS Museum Director Linda Lindler, SRS Museum Educational Specialist Kelly Galvarino, SRNL Deputy Director Sharon Marra (back row) SRNL volunteers Eric Hoar, David Tacchi, Braden Brown and Lindsay Brown, Interim Manager NNSA Savannah River Field Office Mary Helon Hitson, Director Savannah River Laboratory Office Tony Polk; Deputy Manager Savannah River Operations Office Edwin Deshong. (SRNL photo by Kelsie Taylor)
New Section of SRNL Website, ‘The Digest,’ Highlights How SRNL Puts Science to Work
‘The Digest,’ a new section of the SRNL website highlights how SRNL puts science to work. Located within the Newsroom of the SRNL website, ‘The Digest’ includes short articles and links to featured SRNL videos. Three new articles and videos posted in ‘The Digest’ include:
- SRNL Puts ORNL’s Radiological Storage Container Through Safety Testing
- Laser Precision: LiDAR Technology Enables Successful Completion of the Annual H-Canyon Exhaust Tunnel Inspection
- SRNL Nonproliferation Group Using Crystals to Streamline MAI Analysis
Look for new articles and videos posted periodically in ‘The Digest’ here. In the future, The Digest will also include podcasts.
Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative Moves Forward
Construction workers placed the last piece of structural steel on the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative building on the University of South Carolina Aiken campus. The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative will identify, develop, scaleup and integrate new technologies into critical Department of Energy production efforts and the industrial manufacturing sector while supporting key Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) strategic goals and processes.
SRNL in the Community
SRNL Supports Golden Harvest Food Bank, Cumbee Center
Employees of SRNL came together once again this year to raise funds to support the Golden Harvest Food Bank’s It’s Spooky to Be Hungry food drive. The goal was to raise 1 million meals for neighbors struggling with hunger across the Georgia and South Carolina Central Savannah River Area. This year, SRNL was the leader in fundraising efforts for large businesses located in South Carolina, raising more than $31,000, the highest ever SRNL total.
Additionally, SPECTRA, the all-inclusive employee resource group that fosters the empowerment of women at all career levels and fields at SRNL, recently delivered supplies donated by SRNL employees to the Cumbee Center in Aiken, South Carolina. The Cumbee Center works to empower domestic violence and sexual violence victims and their families by providing services, reducing the tolerance of abuse, and advocating for social change.
