Communications hosts staff photo open house
Have you not had a staff photo taken because you were hired during the pandemic?
Is your staff photo kinda old?
Are you not digging the shirt you wore in your last one?
No matter what the reason, as Ames Lab people return to on-site work and get back to their labs and offices, Communications is looking to take staff photos for anyone who doesn’t yet have one, or who would like a refresh. We will host a staff photo open house every week in 132 TASF from 1-4 p.m. for the following dates:
- Thursday, March 24
- Friday, April 1
- Wednesday, April 6
- Monday, April 11
For the best staff photo result, we recommend:
- Hair down (if you have long hair), to frame the face.
- Primary, solid-color shirts, as patterns can be challenging for digital screens.
- A smile! Even a small one can brighten the picture and reduce the sense we took it against your will.
We’ll have our cameras and lighting ready, with new backgrounds available! Drop in any time during open house hours, or contact Marlee Baldridge for an appointment. COVID protocols apply; Marlee will be at a safe 6-foot distance, and ask you to very briefly remove your mask while she takes the picture.
We Are Ames Laboratory: Powder Synthesis and Development Group
What is the research group’s name? Powder Synthesis and Development Group (PSDG), or “Powder Group” for short.
What research does the Powder Synthesis and Development Group do? The PSDG team advances the science of material synthesis through advanced powder metallurgy approaches. We have two gas atomizers and one rotating disk atomizer which are used to create metal powders of a nearly infinite number of alloy compositions. If we can melt it in a crucible, we can make powder from it! Our work enables both fundamental research into synthesis or characterization of new materials, as well as more targeted applied research and industrial R&D. Our team looks at all aspects of the powder production process including basic physics-based CFD modeling, gas-only flow/melt break up optimization, novel types of gas-based passivation reactions during atomization spray free-fall, alloy design and development, bulk sample synthesis and development of end use applications.
Why should people be interested in this group’s research? Who wouldn’t be interested in using supersonic gas jets to disintegrate molten metal streams at temperatures up to 1850 °C (3362 °F) into tiny droplets that cool into a metal powder? Hot molten alloys become cool powder-- the best!
Our group’s research has broad relevance across many industries and applications. Want to improve your powder production process to get higher yields of better quality metal powders? We do that! Want a high performance metal powder for your 3D printer that actually prints well? We do that! Want a strong magnet for your EV that doesn’t rely heavily on critical materials? We do that! Want a material that has high temperature strength and irradiation resistance for use in your nuclear power plant? We do that! Want to upgrade your country’s electrical power transmission grid with high efficiency cable, i.e., to Re-String America? We do that! Want Dave’s chili recipe that took second place at the Lab’s 2018 chili cook off? We won’t do that (but you can ask Wendy’s if they will share their recipe!), and we don’t encourage Trevor to enter tortilla soup into a chili cookoff – it’s not chili.
What is unique, interesting, or special about your team? Hawaiian shirts are a must-have for any conference opening reception. We are well known for them! Wearing Sriracha t-shirts all but guarantee success while pouring the “hot sauce” on an Atomization Day. Fiji Water is the official water of the group, sort of. Curry is the official hot-lunch dish. And group meetings start precisely at their scheduled times, occasionally.
Who is in charge around here? The GK (Grand Kahuna), of course: Iver ‘GK’ Anderson. Nic Argibay (nick-name pending) has also been leading the charge since Oct 2021.
Who's a part of the Powder Group team?
Full-time Staff
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Luke Gaydos
Erik DeMeyere
Abby Stanlick
Not pictured:
Landon Hickman
Emily Huntley
Keaton Maier
Where can I find the PSDG?
Group email: PSD@ameslab.gov
Lab location: All over Metals Development and at 141 Applied Science Complex II
Steve Karsjen retirement event Friday, March 4
Steve Karsjen, Director of Education and Outreach, will retire March 4, after almost 30 years at Ames Laboratory. He joined the Lab in 1992 as the director of the Office of Public Affairs and Information. In 1998, he
became the coordinator of the Iowa Regional High School Science Bowl, part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl. He launched the complementary middle school Science Bowl event in 2004. In that time, over 7500 students have participated in Iowa Regional Science Bowls. Since 2005, Steve served as the Lab’s Education Director, managing the DOE’s Workforce and Development for Teacher and Science (WDTS) programs, which included internships and visiting faculty programs. To date, 583 students and faculty have participated in WDTS programs at Ames Lab. In 2017 Steve departed Public Affairs and began directing education and outreach programs full time.
During his tenure, Steve was involved in several projects of note, including the laboratory’s first website; a historical documentary film and stewardship of the Laboratory’s historical records; branding, logo, and signage development; and fundraising for Science Bowl.
The Laboratory will host a farewell event for Steve Friday, March 4 at Alluvial Brewing Company, 3715 W. 190th St., Ames, from 4-7 p.m. Refreshments will be provided; please purchase your own beverages.
Reminder: Ice Cream Contest deadline coming soon!
Time is running out to compete in the Ames Laboratory Ice Cream Contest! Ames Laboratory, in partnership
with the Iowa State University Creamery, is asking Ames Lab employees to contribute their best and most creative ideas to invent an ice cream flavor that will help us celebrate 75 years as a National Laboratory! The highest scoring entry will be launched by the ISU Creamery, and served at our State of the Laboratory picnic in May. Ice cream flavor designers may create their entries theoretically (on the computer) or experimentally (in the kitchen), but either way, these guidelines apply:
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The deadline to submit ideas is 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2022
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Individuals and teams may submit ideas
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A panel of ice cream experts from ISU Creamery and Director Adam Schwartz will serve as judges
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Ice cream concepts will be judged on fit to Ames Lab anniversary theme, and feasibility of production
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The prize is victory, and a quart of ice cream for each winning entrant.
To enter, please read the entire set of contest rules, HERE; and complete your entry using this form, HERE.
Human Resources on site daily beginning March 14
With the excitement of returning to a regular presence at TASF, the Human Resources and Diversity team is highly invested in providing excellent service to our staff. We want to meet your needs in a manner that enables urgent responses to truly emergent matters while maintaining accuracy and efficiency with all the day-to-day processes and routine needs of our staff. We are also focused on ensuring a safe work environment for everyone.
Unless reentry is once again delayed, starting March 14th, our team will have onsite presence each workday (barring unforeseen emergencies), with all team members working hybrid arrangements. Each of us will typically be onsite three times per week. While everyone on our team generally tries to jump in to assist with any inquiry, there is a great deal of subject matter expertise that is unique to each of us. For that reason, we recommend the following so we can provide the most prompt, thorough and accurate support to you.
● If you do not know which person to reach out to, please send an email to humanresources@ameslab.gov and the designated subject matter expert will respond to you. You will generally receive a response within one business day.
● Employee check-in and check-out will continue to be handled electronically, as it has since 2020. Unless there is a unique issue, please do not send employees in person to HR for check-in and check-out. If there is a unique issue, please let us know through a phone call or email so we can provide prompt resolution.
● Regardless of our work location, we can be reached by telephone. Contact information and areas of expertise are listed below. When we are working off-site, our phones either ring into our laptops or we receive immediate voicemail messages delivered through email.
● Unless there is a need to meet in person, for everyone’s health and safety, virtual meetings will continue to be the norm. If there is a reason that an in-person meeting is needed, please request this in advance so proper room/space arrangements can be made. Until community transmission rates drop significantly, we request that drop in visits be reserved for emergencies and situations in which personal contact is required.
Leslea Abrahamsen: lesleaca@ameslab.gov 515.294.2680
Primary point of contact; Check-In/Check-Out; Appointment Processing (GAs, undergrad students and contributors); Visa Verification; Deltek Costpoint Entry
Molly Seaboch: mseaboch@ameslab.gov 515.294.5740
Talent Acquisition (Posting positions and hiring); Performance Appraisals; Reclassifications/Promotions
Meredith Ohrt: meredith@ameslab.gov 515.294.1943
Data Inquiries/Reports; Leaves of Absence; Attestations; Visas; Onboarding; Performance Appraisals; Employee Appointments (Postdocs)
Katie Augustus: katea@ameslab.gov 515.294.8753
Diversity and Inclusion; Compensation and Benefits; Employee Appointments (Faculty, P&S, Merit); DOE Reporting/contract support
Lisa Negus: lmnegus@ameslab.gov 515.294.6738
Employee relations issues; Telework Agreements; Attestations; HR Policies and Interpretation; Strategic Planning
February IDEAs: ISU ISCORE coming soon, Emotional Intelligence Workshops
It’s not too late: IDEA/ISCORE Professional Development Opportunity
Ames Laboratory leadership and the D&I Council invites you to participate in the upcoming IDEA Professional Development Opportunity, through participation in the Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) a virtual pre-conference on March 2 and conference on March 4. Laboratory debriefing sessions will be held shortly after. This opportunity is an activity that can inform your next written performance appraisal.
To view the agenda and register for this IDEA opportunity visit the ISCORE conference website at https://www.iscore.iastate.edu/conference. Also inform the D&I Council by submitting your name and email on this form.
EAP Emotional Intelligence Workshops
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is facilitating an Emotional Intelligence course series available for ISU employees! These courses are located in Learn@ISU and will be held virtually.
Being Well During Covid
Wednesday, March 9 from 9-11 a.m.
Register in Learn@ISU
In Being Well During Covid, we will identify and discuss stressors and coping in the face of the events of the pandemic, understand how being present with emotions and thoughts can help us cope with stressful events, learn how to use grounding to self-regulate emotions in the face of stress and worry, determine how your values can help you navigate Covid (and other stressors) and solidify an action plan of coping skills to increase well-being.
Rediscovering Our Why
Wednesday, March 30 from 9-11 a.m.
Register in Learn@ISU
Do you find yourself feeling “lost” at times, wondering why events happen to you, feeling like you’re just “going through the motions” day to day, or feeling unclear about how to make the “best” decision or move forward in your life? These are not unusual feelings or questions, particularly in a world that seems increasingly divisive and confusing. This workshop will help you get back to the important values that are a compass point for “what I want to stand for,” no matter what life throws at you or where you’re at in life right now. We will explore how to use these values to set actionable goals and “lean into” challenges so that you can clearly make decisions that move you toward “who you want to be” in any given situation.
Leverage Your Stress with Emotional Intelligence
Wednesday, April 13 from 9-11 a.m.
Register in Learn@ISU
So often, stress, whether work-related or personal, impacts us negatively at work and gets in the way of our ability to get through even the most simple tasks. Depending on how we experience stress, it can either be a catalyst for working effectively through a problem, or it can completely blind us. This workshop will help you consider a different approach to managing stress. It is a normal experience in our daily lives, and can be leveraged by practicing navigating emotions, using values as a guide to decision making, focusing our efforts on what is within our control, and exercising optimism and appreciation in daily life.
Professional Development Library now open
All Ames Laboratory employees have access to a small professional development library located in the
Performance Management Office in 111 TASF. Please visit during office hours (typically 9-3pm M-F) beginning March 14 and checkout a book by writing your information (name, email, selected book, date) on the provided clipboard. Any questions can be sent to training@ameslab.gov.
You are also welcome to donate professional development books to this library. Please contact us at training@ameslab.gov to make arrangements. Thank you!
A current list of books can be found on this Google Sheet.
Announcements
Director’s Excellence Award nominations open
Nominations for the Director's Excellence Award are open now through April 15, 2022. Please consider nominating a fellow employee who has positively impacted Ames Laboratory through their demonstration of one or more of our core values. See the Director's Excellence Award 2022 knowledge article for more information on criteria and the nomination process.
Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
Join us IN PERSON on Tuesday, March 22 at noon in 301 Spedding to hear from the Ames Laboratory Book Club as they share lessons learned from the book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace”. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Speaker: Teresa Wilhelm Waldof
For those who missed her appearance at Ames Laboratory in January, here is another opportunity to see Teresa Wilhelm Waldof speak about her new book, Wilhelm’s Way: The Inspiring Story of the ISU Chemist Who Saved the Manhattan Project, which describes Ames Laboratory co-founder Harley Wilhelm's contributions to the Manhattan Project. Part of the Iowa State University Lecture Series, March 7, at 6 p.m. in the Sun Room at the Memorial Union.
Job opportunities at Ames Lab
Did you know you can find a current list of employment opportunities at Ames Laboratory on the Job Opportunities page at www.ameslab.gov? Share with friends and colleagues, or apply yourself! You can also find the page linked on the Employee Dashboard.