In this issue:
Nominations open for Operations Excellence Award
Nominations are now open for the 2020 Director’s Operations Excellence Award. Ames Laboratory operations and administrative staff who demonstrate excellence in their work through our core values are eligible for this award. Additional criteria for the award and the nomination form can be found here. The deadline for nominations is April 13.
Past winners of the award are John Lawson, Shawn Nelson and Sarah Morris-Benavides.
MER helps measure quantum materials
Experimental physicists have combined several measurements of quantum materials into one in their ongoing quest to learn more about manipulating and controlling the behavior of them for possible applications. They even coined a term for it-- Magneto-elastoresistance, or MER.
Scientists in condensed matter physics at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory have a long history of investigating “weird” materials, according to Paul Canfield, Ames Lab physicist, Distinguished Professor and the Robert Allen Wright Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Iowa State University.
“Weird” in this case means metallic and semi-metallic compounds that have magnetic, superconducting, or other properties that might be useful in tech applications such as quantum computing. To force those compounds to reveal their secrets, however, experimentalists must poke, prod, and measure the materials to see how and how much they react.
Provide feedback on Learning and Development training
Learning & Development Wants to Hear From You! Employees are encouraged to share their feedback on recently completed training by filling out an anonymous online survey form. More information can be found in ServiceNow here.
Several new employees join Ames Lab
A number of new employees have joined Ames Lab in the last month or two. Please welcome the following new staffers to the Lab.
- Buu Pham, associate scientist III
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Buu Pham is an assistant scientist III with Mark Gordon’s group, having previously worked here as a postdoc. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry Ho-Chi-Minh City University of Education, Vietnam and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University.During his graduate study with Gordon, Pham developed and implemented codes on high performance supercomputers to explore ground state properties of macromolecular systems (e.g., heterocatalysts) at the quantum mechanics level of accuracy. For the future, he would like to explore excited states, dynamics of excited states and superposition of states of macromolecular systems derived from accurate post Hartree-Fock methods. This code development is relevant for quantum information systems and excited-state related materials, e.g., non-linear optical, light havesting materials, OLED.
Pham grew up in a rural area in the south pole of Vietnam. In high school, he liked mathematics, physics and chemistry. “Eventually I found all of them in computational quantum chemistry,” he said, “so I stuck to this field of study since then.”
His wife is an ISU graduate student in biochemistry and they have two kids (1 and 6 years old). In his free time, he likes to make paper airplanes, carboard models, play candy crush or chat with his older son about rocks, minerals, gravity, rain, thunder, etc.
“I enjoy the way he thinks about that stuff,” he said.
- Gunnar Matteson, plant safety patrol officer
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Gunnar Matteson works as a plant safety patrol officer on the C shift for Ames Lab Security. His main job is to ensure the safety and security of the people and equipment within the Ames Lab complex.He grew up in Webster City and served three years in the US Army as an infantryman at Ft. Riley, KS with one deployment overseas for standby operations. After his service ended, he was an HVAC technician for another three years until starting at Ames Lab.
When he’s not working Matteson enjoys camping, shooting, and working on cars.
- Liang Luo, associate scientist
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Liang Luo is an associate scientist working with Jigang Wang. His work involves conducting original experimental research in novel quantum materials using cutting-edge ultrafast laser spectroscopy techniques, especially in studies of spin dynamics and novel quantum phenomena of topological and photovoltaic materials under extreme magneto-THz excitation conditions, collaborating with experimental and theoretical professionals to interpret results, writing scientific manuscripts for publication, and presenting results in professional meetings.He received a bachelors in engineering in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering from Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China, a masters in physics from Umea University, Umea, Sweden and Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from Iowa State University.
He grew up in Pengzhou, a small town in the Sichuan province of China. Before working as an associate scientist at Ames Lab, he was a PhD candidate and postdoc researcher in the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Iowa State University and Ames Lab.
Luo, his wife Lisa and six-month-old son George live in Ames. He enjoys spicy food and barbeque and his favorite sport is soccer. In his spare time he likes to go fishing, including ice fishing in winter. Indoor activities include watching TV shows and movies to relax. He also likes to cook.
- Niladri Gomes, postdoc research associate
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Niladri Gomes is a postdoctoral research associate working for Yongxin Yao. His work will be developing algorithms for quantum computers to study properties of quantum/magnetic materials.Gomes grew up in a small town called Baruipur, in a region in India “where natives speak a beautiful language called Bengali.” He received a B.Sc. in physics from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkatta, India, a M.Sc. in physics from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Arizona.
After completion of his education he worked in a research-based software development group in a New York company that develops next generation tech node for one year, and moved to South Korea as a research fellow to learn about topological matter and dynamical mean field theory.
His spare time activities vary from playing ping pong, soccer, sometimes hiking to sketching, wondering if he could direct a documentary/film and planning for it.
- Na Liu, accountant II
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Na Liu is an accountant II at Ames Laboratory where she performs professional accounting functions, including process payments, prepare specialized accounting reports and financial statements, complete reconciliation and analysis of accounting transactions, and collection of data and preparation of accounting schedules.She grew up in Beijing, China and moved to Ames with her husband in 2007 for school. She holds a B.S. from China Agricultural University, Beijing, and a Master of Accounting from Iowa State University. Before working for Ames Lab, she worked for a couple of banks in the Des Moines area.
“Ames is my second hometown and I deeply love this little, peaceful and diverse college town,” Liu said. “Now, I have a 6 years old sweet boy who studies at Fellows Elementary School in Ames. I can easily find whatever I need and reach out to my friends in a 15 minute drive. I also love to walk on campus because there are a lot of precious memories in my life.”
She likes to take her family to the ISU gym, have fun in the pool and relax in the hot spring pool. During the summer, she loves jogging around Ada Hayden Heritage Park lake and enjoys the brilliant Iowa sunshine with her family.
- Jackie Schrunk, clerk III
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Jackie Schrunk is a clerk III in Property and Transportation at Ames Laboratory. She will be replacing Vicki Sieve when she retires in April. She holds an associate of science in electronic engineering technology from Western Iowa Tech Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication from Kaplan University. She comes to Ames Laboratory from Barilla, in Ames, where she was a packaging trainer.Schrunk's family is originally from Sioux City, Iowa. She and her husband (Ben Schrunk) moved to Story City in 2007 so he could start school at ISU in 2008. He also works for Ames Lab, in Adam Kaminski's group. The family currently consists of a 23-year-old son, two dogs, and two cats.
In her spare time, Schrunk really enjoys hiking with the dogs, "especially in and along a river or creek, where a person can find great rocks. Along with collecting rocks, I like to garden, watch Bob's Burgers, and ride my bike. Anthropology (and history in general) bring me pure joy; but, I'm really fascinated by stone age technology."
Annual Pancake Breakfast Feb. 5
Ames Laboratory's annual pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Director's Office will be held Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in 205 TASF. The menu includes all the pancakes you can eat, sausage, orange juice and coffee.
Answers to questions about the Coronavirus
Let’s take a break from our regularly scheduled wellness programming and take a minute to address some questions regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. We caught up with our Occupational Medicine physician; Dr. Evans for her take.
Q: What is the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?
A: The 2019 Novel Coronavirus is a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan Province, China.
Q: How is the virus spread?
A: Experts believe the virus originated from an animal source, but now has been spreading from human to human contact. Some viruses are highly contagious, such as measles, while others are less so. The CDC believes the virus is most likely spread by coughing or contact with respiratory secretions from people infected with the virus.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Symptoms can include; fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild illness to death.
Q: How can you tell if your symptoms are associated with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or another illness like influenza?
A: If you have travelled to Wuhan Province, China in the past 14 days or had a known exposure to a documented case of coronavirus and begin experiencing a fever AND cough, difficulty breathing, or other respiratory symptoms you should seek medical advice right away. Call before you go to your doctor’s office or local emergency room and tell them about your recent travel and symptoms, so they can prepare and minimize exposure to others.
The 2019 –nCoV is diagnosed by evidence of the virus in respiratory samples such as swabs from the throat or fluid from the lungs. Testing will be determined by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Q: Who is at risk?
A: People who live or have traveled to the Wuhan Province, China or who have had close contact with suspected cases of coronavirus may be at risk. People with underlying illnesses or who are immunocompromised, the elderly, and young children may also be at a higher risk.
Q: How can people protect themselves from the virus?
A: There is currently not a vaccine available to protect against the human coronavirus infection.
These everyday preventative actions will help the spread of all respiratory viruses:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have acute respiratory infections;
- Stay home and avoid travel when you are sick;
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you’ve been in a public space. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth before washing your hands;
- Practice good respiratory hygiene by coughing or sneezing into your elbow, sleeve, or tissue (not your hands);
- Disinfect high traffic surfaces and objects regularly;
- Get enough rest, exercise regularly, and eat healthy!
If you have not received an influenza vaccine, it’s not too late. Contact your primary physician or local pharmacy and schedule your flu shot today!
Iowa State University and DOE are closely monitoring the developments related to the outbreak. You can also find the most accurate, up to date information at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
If you have additional health-related questions or topics you’d like to learn more about, email om@ameslab.gov and they may be featured in next month’s Wellness Note!
Better Poster Design training offered
Have trouble conveying your research to others during poster presentations? Attend "Exploring Better Research Poster Design" training course to learn about a new poster design that is gaining popularity. The course will be held Wednesday, February 19th at 10:00AM in the TASF 140 Training Room. Register in Learn@ISU or contact training@ameslab.gov to RSVP.
First Aid and CPR training offered
The Laboratory is offering CPR and First Aid Training free of charge for Ames Lab staff. Members of the Occupation Medicine Clinic will be conducting the courses on the schedule below. Contact the Training Office (traininghrly@ameslab.gov), 4-9972 to enroll. The schedule for upcoming First Aid and CPR training has been set. Staff taking the course(s) will receive certification.
First Aid
- June 25th from 8AM - Noon in TASF 140
CPR
- February 27 from 8AM - Noon in TASF 140
- April 30 from 8AM - Noon in TASF 140
- August 27 from 8AM - Noon in TASF 140
Looking Back - Insider showcases heavy snow
The January 1995 issue of Insider showcased the heavy snow that fell during a December storm. The cover showed snow piled high outside TASF and a story inside talked with commuters who battled the drifts to get to work.
Elsewhere in the issue, there was a story on where to find various offices after they relocated from Spedding to the newly opened TASF. There was also a story on public information sessions held to keep the community informed about the cleanup of contamination at the Chemical Disposal Site. Jim Corones was announced as the Acting Director of Ames Lab and Jeanine Crossman and Tim Ellis were featured in personality profiles.
To read the entire issue, click on the cover.
Ames wins High School Science Bowl
Ames High School defeated Pleasant Valley High School of Bettendorf 46-40 in the championship match to win the 2020 Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University Regional Science Bowl here on Jan. 25. It was the closest match of the day for the Ames team which cruised through earlier round matches by racking up triple-digit scores.
The Ames team of Andres Cordoba, Alexander Kovar, Ne Dassanayake, Jacob Stevens and Rishabh Swamy will represent the Iowa Region at the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl (NSB)® April 30-May 4, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Pleasant Valley, last year’s defending champion was second and Valley High School of West Des Moines was third. The same three teams were at the top last year with Pleasant Valley first, Valley second and Ames third.
A total of 33 schools participated in the day-long event. Final results bracket from Championship Round.
Retirement reception for Dale Meyer Feb. 4
A retirement reception for Dale Meyer, engineering technician II, will be held 1:30-3:00 p.m. on Feb. 4 in 205 TASF. Meyer has been with Ames Laboratory for 20 and a half years.
Science Bowl volunteers honored for service
Six Science Bowl volunteers were honored for their service during the opening ceremonies at the 30th annual Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University Regional High School Science Bowl on Jan. 25. The volunteers, pictured below, received service pins from Ames Laboratory Director Adam Schwartz.
Brown Bag with Adam Feb. 27
The monthly brown bag lunch with Director Adam Schwartz for February is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27 at noon in 301 Spedding. Any Lab employees may attend and are welcome to bring their own lunch.
These lunches are an opportunity for staff to chat with Adam in an informal, small group setting to learn more about, and provide input on, a wide variety of issues including priorities, challenges, and the overall state of the Lab.
The goal of these open lunches is to provide a forum for cross-cutting, candid discussions with Lab leadership and your colleagues about whatever issues are on your mind. If you prefer to submit an anonymous question in advance, use this link or place it in Melinda Schlosser’s inbox located in 311 TASF prior to the lunchtime meeting.