Mueller named director of Ames National Laboratory
Karl Mueller has been named the new director of Ames National Laboratory. His tenure begins June 1.
Since 2021, Mueller has served as the director of the Program Development Office for the Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate (PCSD) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. Prior to that, he served for six years as Chief Science and Technology Officer for PCSD. Mueller moved to PNNL in 2010 after rising to the rank of full professor in the Department of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University.
“For more than 75 years, Iowa State University has operated Ames National Laboratory, producing scientific breakthroughs that have shaped history and addressed society’s most pressing challenges,” said President Wendy Wintersteen. “I am confident Dr. Mueller is the right person to advance this legacy of excellence.”
Mueller’s scholarly record includes more than 195 peer-reviewed papers detailing the development of magnetic resonance methods and applied studies in natural and engineered systems. In addition to serving as director of Ames National Laboratory, Mueller will hold the rank of tenured professor in the Department of Chemistry.
“Dr. Mueller has outstanding scientific credentials and a clear vision for the future,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Jason Keith. “He will provide strong leadership in fulfilling the lab’s mission to deliver critical materials solutions and support national energy security.”
Mueller earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Rochester and completed a post graduate studies certificate at the University of Cambridge while supported as a Churchill Scholar by the Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
“I am honored to join Ames National Laboratory, an institution renowned for its pioneering work in rare earth elements, quantum materials, and sustainable energy technologies,” Mueller said. “The laboratory's excellence in materials discovery and characterization, combined with its deep integration with Iowa State University, creates unique opportunities to address our nation's critical science and technology challenges. I look forward to building on Ames' distinguished legacy of scientific innovation to advance both fundamental research and strategic technologies.”
Mueller succeeds Adam Schwartz, who has led Ames National Laboratory since June 2014. Schwartz previously announced his plans to step down as director and will transition to a part-time role helping to support business development for critical materials research at the lab and with its partners.
Retirement Celebration for Iver Anderson
You are invited to a special celebration in honor of Iver Anderson's retirement. After many years of dedicated service, it is time to celebrate his remarkable career and wish him well in his future endeavors.
In the spirit of Iver, don your most vibrant Hawaiian shirt!
Date: April 16
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Hach Hall Atrium
Please join us for refreshments, shared memories, and a chance to express our gratitude to Iver for his contributions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Bike to work? We have a rack for that!
As the weather is warming up many of you may be interested in riding your bicycle to work and reap the myriad of associated health and environmental benefits it entails. Ames National Lab is committed to supporting those that wish to lessen their carbon footprints. In addition to offering premium parking from hybrid/electric vehicles, we offer a free and secure indoor space where you can park your bicycle while you work. If you are thinking of making this leap from four wheels to two, you can find out more about our indoor bicycle parking here on ServiceNow.
Register now for the annual Early Bird Golf and Mini-Golf Tournaments
The Ames Lab annual Early Bird Golf and Mini-Golf Tournaments are scheduled for Friday May 2. Participation is open to Ames Lab staff, family, and friends.
Early Bird Golf Tournament
Where: Ames Golf and Country Club, 5752 George Washington Carver Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Time: Noon shotgun start
Cost: $50.00 + Tax covers 18 holes, including cart and range balls, payable to the club
Entry Fee: $5 (for prizes) payable to Mary Ronayne (event organizer)
Contact: Mary Ronayne, mronayne@ameslab.gov
Mini-Golf Tournament
Where: Perfect Games, 1320 Dickinson Ave, Ames, IA 50014
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: $5, payable at the venue
Contact: Laura Graves, lgraves@ameslab.gov
To register, please use this Google form
DOE Mile 2025 event May 7
Each year participants across the National Laboratory system participate in the DOE Mile. This run/walk event will take place on Wednesday May 7 at 10 a.m. for in-person participants. There is also an opportunity to participate virtually for anyone who is unable to attend the in-person event.
In-person participants will need to complete a waiver, and those participating virtually will need to keep track of their mile time and record it on the DOE Mile homepage. Please note the website will be updated May 1 to log virtual attendance. Time reporting is available May 1-23.
If you have any questions, please contact Allison in Occupational Medicine, aretz@ameslab.gov or 294-2056.
Active for Life begins May 4
Join us for the Active for Life program, an annual event that builds teamwork and community, and encourages Ames Laboratory employees to begin and/or maintain an active lifestyle.
Active for Life is an eight-week voluntary program in which employees participate as part of a team to complete individual and team wellness goals. The teams engage in friendly competition with other Ames Lab teams to earn points and accomplish goals. Each week brings new challenges that include physical and personal growth opportunities, and a scavenger hunt to keep everyone moving. Participants earn points for accomplishing daily activity goals and completing weekly challenges and scavenger hunts. At the end of the program, participants are invited to a celebration that includes an award ceremony.
There are two options for anyone interested in participating. You can join other employees to form a team of 5-8 members and sign up together. Each team selects a captain and comes up with a unique team name; team captains email their roster and name to activeforlife@ameslab.gov. Or, if you want to participate and you do not have a team, simply contact activeforlife@ameslab.gov or call 294-2056 and we will connect you with a team!
The deadline to sign up is April 30, and the event will begin May 4.
More information will be sent out to all who are participating once all teams have been compiled, before the May 4 start date.
If you have any questions, please contact Allison in Occupational Medicine, aretz@ameslab.gov or 294-2056.
PIV Badge virtual event and pilot group coming in April
With the PIV Badge process in Workday launching soon, we have overhauled the website to make things easier to find and added new resources:
The Badging Team will host a virtual event in April to walk through the steps in the PIV Badge process, share new resources that will guide you throughout, and answer your questions. This event is intended for anyone who will be eligible for a PIV Badge now or in the future. All are welcome. You will receive an invitation from the Director’s Office with event details.
If you volunteered for the pilot group, we will reach out to you via email in the coming weeks to get your PIV Badge process started.
Questions? Contact us: Email badgingoffice@ameslab.gov, call 515-294-6076, or stop by 105 TASF.
Reminder: Annual Free Speech Training Requirement
Iowa State is making a strong effort to achieve 100% completion of the Iowa Board of Regents Free Speech Training program among faculty and staff. Employees who have never completed the training, or are due or overdue, will begin receiving reminder emails. Supervisors will be copied on these messages.
This training is required annually for all Iowa State employees. Please check your Workday Learning and complete the training if it appears in your “My Learning.”
Feel free to reach out to Zhengzheng Xu at zzxu@ameslab.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
Hiring: Brush up on interview skills
Are you new to interviewing candidates or a seasoned talent partner? Wherever you land on that spectrum, there are a few crucial guidelines to keep in mind as you go through the process. Consistency and compliance are key to maintaining a fair and professional interview process. By following these practices, you will help create a positive interview experience and first impression of Ames Lab. Prior to your next interview, review this document: or reach out to Ames Lab HR at humanresources@ameslab.gov.
Professional Skills Development Website – Individual Development Resources Page Added
The Professional Skills Development website now features an Individual Development Resources page, empowering you to take meaningful steps toward your career goals. You can access tools and templates to create an Individual Development Plan (IDP), set measurable goals, and map your path forward. Plus, you can explore the Lab’s Mentoring guide for those interested in mentoring or being mentored.
You can also visit the website's home page for upcoming Professional Development opportunities, RSVP links, and resources from past sessions.
Upcoming Professional Skills Development Opportunities
Project Management Essentials
Do you want to improve your ability to deliver high quality projects on time and on budget? Franklin Covey’s Project Management Essentials teaches key techniques and tools grounded in the foundational paradigm that “People + Process = Success.” This free course will be offered on Tuesday, April 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in TASF 205. RSVP to secure your seat. Contact Nancy Turner with questions, nturner@ameslab.gov.
Learning Session: Communicating with Impact
Join us for an in-person training session with Dr. Tina Coffelt to discover the keys to effective communication, held on Wednesday, April 23 from 10:30-11:45 a.m. In this interactive session, you will learn how to:
- Analyze your audience’s unique needs to ensure your message resonates.
- Translate complex information into clear language for better understanding.
- Foster engagement with every interaction.
RSVP to take your communication skills to the next level, connect more effectively with your audience, and leave a lasting impact.
Core Strengths Workshop
Learning & Development will offer Core Strengths Relationship Intelligence training over two half-day sessions, Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9 from 9 a.m. – noon. Core Strengths begins with a personalized, scientifically-validated Strength Deployment Inventory assessment. Your results combined with the training can help you better understand your motives, strengths, and working style. The training also focuses on conflict tendencies and how to more effectively manage conflict in the workplace.
If you are interested in attending the May sessions, a future session, or scheduling a team session, please complete our Core Strengths Interest Form. For questions or more information, contact Nancy Turner, nturner@ameslab.gov.
Personnel Requisition Training now available
You are invited to a virtual training session on personnel requisitions, scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, from 10-11 a.m. Jake Irving will offer insights into the various types of forms available and provide guidance, including a live demonstration on completing these forms. If you are interested in learning more, please join via this link. Contact Jake with any questions, irving@ameslab.gov.
Salaried Effort Certification in Workday
The effort certification process for the period of July 1, 2024 – Dec. 30, 2024 will be sent out in Workday for your review and approval, beginning April 2025.
The effort certification process, owned by Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPA) at the university-level, helps maintain compliance with federal regulations that stipulate institutions must have a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that salary charges are accurate, allowable and properly allocated to federal awards.
The salaried effort certification for the period of July 1, 2024 – Dec. 30, 2024 will be performed in Workday. Individuals paid by the Ames Laboratory will receive an effort certification action in Workday which is asking you to verify that your effort and pay was cost appropriately to the Ames Laboratory or other Federally funded sources you may have been paid from. Please review this Workday action and reach out to Jake Irving (irving@ameslab.gov) if you have any questions.
A job aid for salaried effort certification is available. For more information about effort reporting, please consult the Iowa State Policy.