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Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes (2002)

Chapter: Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
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D Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

DUSCHA, LLOYD A., CHAIR

Lloyd A. Duscha (NAE) is a consulting engineer whose experience encompasses environmental restoration, policy development, organizational management, project management, water resource planning, design and construction, and formulating better contracting practices. He has more than 40 years of experience, including 20 years in executive management positions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers culminating as the ranking civilian: deputy director of engineering and construction. Concurrently, he served on the Research and Development Board. Mr. Duscha earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, with distinction, from the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded the Board of Regent’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Mr. Duscha was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 1987. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers. He has served on numerous committees at the National Academies including the Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment (1994-1997); the Committee to Assess the Policies and Practices of the Department of Energy (DOE) to Design, Manage, and Procure Environmental Restoration, Waste Management, and Other Construction Projects (1998-1999); and principal investigator for the Project on Assessing the Need for Independent Review of DOE Projects (1997-1998). Mr. Duscha is currently serving on the National Research Council (NRC) Committee to Review and Assess DOE Project Management (2000-2003).

BURNS, CAROL J.

Carol J. Burns is the deputy division leader of the Chemistry Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Burns is responsible for technical, administrative, and operational management of basic and applied research activities in chemical synthesis and processing, radionuclide and nuclear chemistry, chemical dynamics, instrumentation and diag-

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
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nostics, and analytical chemistry. She maintains an active research program in actinide and technetium chemistry. Her more than 14 years of service to Los Alamos National Laboratory have included work as deputy group leader, Chemical and Environmental Research and Development Group (1997-1999); program manager for Advanced Concepts, PDET (Energy Technology Programs Office) (1994-1997); and team leader for Inorganic Chemistry, CST-3 (Structural and Inorganic Chemistry) (1991-1994). Dr. Burns is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, and the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences Council on Chemical Sciences. Her awards include the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation Fellowship (1998), the National Performance Review Hammer Award (1996), and participation in the National Academy of Sciences’ First Annual Symposium on the Frontiers of Science (1989). Dr. Burns has coauthored about 80 peer-reviewed papers in actinide, lanthanide, and technetium inorganic and organometallic chemistry. She earned her B.A. degree in chemistry at Rice University in 1983 and her Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1987 as a Hertz Foundation fellow. She was a J. Robert Oppenheimer postdoctoral fellow at Los Alamos from 1987 to 1989.

COLTON, RICHARD J.

Richard J. Colton is the supervisory research chemist and head of the Surface Chemistry Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). He manages a research program in surface chemistry and physics. Program areas include chemical and biological sensors for single-molecule detection, surface science, nanometer-scale science and technology, chemical dynamics, tribology, and coatings. Dr. Colton worked as research chemist and head of the Advanced Surface and Spectroscopy Section of the Surface Chemistry Branch (1982-1998) where he directed research programs on surface and materials characterization by electron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry; the study of surface and molecular adsorbate structure using scanning tunneling microscopy; the measurement of adhesive, frictional, and mechanical properties of surfaces using atomic force microscopy; and the development of novel physical, chemical, and biological sensors using electron tunneling and molecular recognition. Dr. Colton has several achievements and honors such as the Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer (2001); Sigma Xi Applied Science Award (1999); 31st Edison Patent Award (1999); 1996 and 2000 NRL Technology Transfer Awards; and the Hillebrand Prize, Chemical Society of Washington (1992). He is a fellow of the American Vacuum Society and is currently serving on the NRC Board on Assessment of NIST (National

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×

Institute of Standards and Technology) Programs, Subpanel for JILA (formerly Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics). Dr. Colton has authored or coauthored more than 130 articles and book chapters in scientific journals and monographs. Dr. Colton earned his B.S. degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics in 1972 and his Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1976 from the University of Pittsburgh.

KEARFOTT, KIMBERLEE J.

Kimberlee J. Kearfott is a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, with a joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her fields of expertise include radiation detection, medical and tomographic imaging, nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology physics, external and internal dosimetry, medical and nuclear power plant health physics, and physiological models. Dr. Kearfott has authored or coauthored more than 250 publications, including over 65 full-length papers in peer-reviewed journals. She has delivered more than 150 conference presentations, and 115 guest lectures, and has made 9 radio and television appearances. Dr. Kearfott has several achievements and honors including the Women’s Achievement Award from the American Nuclear Society (1995); the Elda Anderson Award from the Health Physics Society (1992); the Society of Nuclear Medicine Tetalman Award (1991); and the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award (1985). She is a member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the American Nuclear Society, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Sigma Xi, the Association of Women in Science, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the International Radiation Physics Society, and the Order of the Engineer. Dr. Kearfott has been a radiological engineer for Detroit Edison Fermi I and Fermi II Nuclear Power Facilities, an associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Arizona State University, and a research associate for the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. Dr. Kearfott earned her B.S. degree, diploma in engineering, from St. Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, in 1975; her M.E. in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia in 1977; and an Sc.D. in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a doctoral minor in physiology and medical physics in 1980.

SAMELSON, RICHARD J.

Richard J. Samelson retired in 1994 from PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after 40 years of service. While at PPG, he worked within the Chemicals Group as manager and director of Environmental Programs, manager of Technical Support Systems, manufacturing engineer for Inorganic Chemicals, process engineer at the Natural Soda Ash

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×

Facility in Bartlett, California, and R&D engineer at Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Samelson’s later responsibilities included environmental management and control, risk evaluation, and management of projects for the investigation and control of air and water pollution associated with past waste disposal practices. During his career, he served as a member of the Chemical Manufacturers Association Environmental Management Committee and the Environmental Protection Committee of the Chlorine Institute, where he served two years as vice chairman and chairman, respectively. Mr. Samelson served on the NRC Committee on Mixed Wastes. He earned a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University in 1954.

STEFFAN, ROBERT J.

Robert J. Steffan is the vice president of Technology Development for Envirogen, Inc. Dr. Steffan’s areas of expertise include in situ bioremediation, fermentation technologies, and advanced technologies of biotransformations, gene probes, genetic engineering, and novel treatment methods. He has lectured widely on the topics of development of biocatalysts, use of molecular biology in hazardous waste treatment, and biodegradation. Dr. Steffan has coauthored 45 articles on his areas of expertise in monographs and scientific journals. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Bacteriology, and currently serves on the editorial board of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. He holds several patents including a method to treat toxic chemicals and another to degrade and remediate organochlorides. Dr. Steffan’s career at Envirogen, Inc., has been as director, Bioremediation and Advanced Technologies Research (1998-2001); research manager, Bioremediation Technologies (1994-1998); manager, Genetic Engineering Group (1993-1994); and research scientist (1990-1993). He was a research scientist (1989-1990) and an Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung research fellow (1988-1989) in the Department of Microbiology at the Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung, Braunschweig, Germany. Dr. Steffan’s honors and achievements include the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award in 2000. Dr. Steffan earned an associate of arts degree from Bismarck Junior College, North Dakota in 1979; a B.A. in Biology from Jamestown College, North Dakota, in 1982; an M.S. in biology from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, in 1984; a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Louisville in 1988; and a J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1997.

TSCHINKEL, VICTORIA J.

Victoria J. Tschinkel consults in environmental policy and planning in Tallahassee, Florida. Her expertise is in assisting corporate clients on strategic environmental issues and in representing clients before agencies

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×

and the state legislature. Ms. Tschinkel is a director of Phillips Petroleum Company, Resources for the Future, and the Center for Clean Air Quality. She is a member of the National Academy of Public Administration. Ms. Tschinkel is an Environmental Regulation Commissioner for the State of Florida. She served as the secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (1981-1987) and has held positions on a number of national advisory councils such as the National Environmental Enforcement Council and the Energy Research Advisory Board. She currently serves as a member of the NRC’s Board on Radioactive Waste Management and is a former member of the Commission on Geo-sciences, Environment, and Resources. She has served on numerous NRC study committees, including the Committee to Evaluate the Science, Engineering, and Health Basis of the Department of Energy’s Environmental Management Program, the Committee on Remedial Action Priorities for Hazardous Waste Sites; and the Committee to Provide Interim Oversight of the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex. Ms. Tschinkel earned her B.S. degree in zoology from the University of California, Berkeley.

UHLE, MARIA E.

Maria E. Uhle is the Jones Assistant Professor of Environmental Organic Geochemistry in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Tennessee. Her research includes investigating the organic chemical composition of atmospheric particulates; the influence of dissolved organic material (DOM) on the fate of organic pollutants in aquatic environments, and how contaminants bind to DOM. Dr. Uhle has been a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Environmental and Marine Sciences, the University of Auckland (1999-2000), and the Department of Geological Sciences and Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University (1998). She has coauthored several publications in scientific journals. Dr. Uhle earned her B.S. in geology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, in 1988; her M.S. in geology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1992; and her Ph.D. in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, in 1997.

ZYLSTRA, GERBEN J.

Gerben J. Zylstra is a professor in the Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment, director of the Nucleotide Sequencing Facility, and director of the High Throughput Screening Laboratory at Rutgers University. His areas of expertise are microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry of the degradation of hydrocarbons. Dr. Zylstra has collaborated with experts from many different fields in numerous publications. He has been invited to give seminars at local, national, and

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×

international meetings in the United States, Egypt, Israel, South Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Brazil, Taiwan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. His honors and awards include election to the American Academy of Microbiology in 2001, the Selman A. Waksman Award in 2001, the Cook College and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Sustained Research Excellence Award in 2000, the Foundation for Microbiology lecturer award for 1997-1999, and the National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award for 1992-1997. Dr. Zylstra was a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City (1988-1990), and the University of Texas, Austin (1987-1988). Dr. Zylstra is an editor of Archives of Microbiology and is on the editorial board of the Journal of Microbiology. He is a member of numerous groups at Rutgers, including the Ocean Science Engineering Center and the Deep Sea Ecology and Biotechnology Center, and is chair of the Agricultural and Environmental Genomics Committee. Dr. Zylstra earned his B.S. degree in biology in 1981 at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology in 1987 at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×
Page 107
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×
Page 108
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×
Page 109
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×
Page 110
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×
Page 111
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members." National Research Council. 2002. Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10513.
×
Page 112
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About 155,000 cubic meters of waste contaminated with both radioactive isotopes and hazardous chemicals are stored at some 30 DOE sites, and another 450,000 cubic meters are buried. While DOE is making a concerted effort to properly dispose of this waste, the amount translates to a multi-decade effort that will require handling, characterizing, and shipping hundreds of thousands of waste containers at a total cost of billions of dollars. This report describes basic scientific research that can lead to new technologies for performing these tasks more safely and cost effectively.

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