For release: August 13 , 2007

Contacts: 
Victor Lin , Chemical and Biological Sciences, (515) 294-3135
Ed Yeung, Chemical and Biological Sciences, (515) 294-8062
Kerry Gibson, Public Affairs, 515-294-1405

LIN NAMED DIRECTOR OF AMES LABORATORY’S CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM

Ed Yeung to assume assistant director post

AMES, Iowa – Chemist Victor Lin has been named Director of Ames Laboratory’s Chemical and Biological Sciences Program. Lin will succeed former director Ed Yeung, who will stay on as deputy director, according Ames Laboratory Interim Director Alan Goldman.  The appointments are effective Aug. 15.

An Ames Laboratory scientist within the Chemical and Biological Sciences program since 2002, Lin specializes in the synthesis of multifunctionalized mesoporous materials for applications in biotechnology and catalysis.  He is also a professor of chemistry at Iowa State University and just last month was named director of ISU’s Center for Catalysis. He has served as the deputy program director for Chemical and Biological Sciences since 2006.

Lin credited his predecessors with creating a strong program, and said he plans to build on that base by encouraging more integrated research efforts.

“Ed (Yeung) did a tremendous job of assembling a strong program,” Lin said, “and I’m excited by the opportunity to lead the program at this particular point in time. The Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences is in the process of refocusing its efforts in four chemistry-related research areas – bioenergy, hydrogen, solar and nuclear – and I feel we have all the key components to match up nicely with this new emphasis.”

According to Lin, catalysis is a vital step in producing energy, whether it’s converting biomass into ethanol or biodiesel, turning solar energy into electricity or chemical energy, or producing hydrogen for use as a fuel or to generate electricity.  He plans to leverage the Lab’s strength in catalysis and materials through the work of many renowned Ames Lab researchers in the areas of synthesis, characterization, spectroscopy and computation by creating more interdisciplinary teams to tackle problems in those three areas.

“I would like to build a more integrated research effort,” he said, “and take a synergistic approach that takes advantage of our state-of-the-art analytical capabilities and our excellent expertise on the theoretical side. We also need to build partnerships elsewhere on campus so we can tap the expertise ISU has to offer, particularly in biorenewables, engineering, and biology.”

Ames Laboratory, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007, is operated for the Department of Energy by Iowa State University. The Lab conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, the synthesis and study of new materials, high-speed computer design, and environmental cleanup and restoration.

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