Eleven Local Residents Receive High Honors from Commerce Department

Commerce Secretary William Daley today presented 11 local employees of the National Institute of Standards and Technology with Gold and Silver Medal Awards— the two highest honor awards presented by the department.

Gold Medal

The Gold Medal, presented for "distinguished performance having major impact on the mission of the department," was awarded to three NIST researchers.

Willam J. Boettinger, Metallurgist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
"For his achievements in applying rigorous principles of thermodynamics to the design and control of a broad range of important industrial processes, ranging from solidification of superalloy turbine blades to solder spreading on circuit boards."

Charles J. Glinka, Physicist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
Charles F. Majkrzak, Physicist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
"For their leadership in the development of the world's best combined cold neutron measurement probes used to examine the nanoscale structure of macromolecular materials and thin films. These instruments have revolutionized U.S. research in many critical areas of polymer and colloid science and biotechnology."

Silver Medal

Eight NIST researchers were honored with the Silver Medal, given for exceptional service to the department.

Richard H.F. Jackson, Director, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
"For his leadership and direction of the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, creating a laboratory vision encompassing manufacturing processes from 'bolts to bytes.'"

Richard F. Kayser, Acting Director, Technology Services
"For his previous leadership of the Physical and Chemical Properties Division of NIST's Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory. His efforts resulted in a superb technical program, effective resource management and service that has had direct impacts on U.S. industry."

Nile M. Oldham, Project Leader, Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory
"For developing the technical content that led to the success of SIMnet, an Internet-based network to facilitate trade between the countries of North and South America. Through SIMnet, NIST and 10 other national measurement laboratories are now able to participate remotely in measurement comparison trials, interchange data and work together to promote standards equivalency throughout the Americas."

Michael T. Postek, Group Leader, Nanoscale Metrology Group, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
Nien-Fan Zhang, Mathematical Statistician, Information Technology Laboratory
"For identifying the cause of poor performance of automated measuring instruments used in semiconductor manufacturing, and for inventing and developing a scanning electron microscope image sharpness monitor to address the problem."

Gregory J. Rosasco, Chief, Process Measurements Division, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
"For his leadership of the Process Measurements Division, which provides state-of-the-art measurement, calibration and standards-developing capabilities for industry in the areas of temperature, humidity, flow rate, pressure, vacuum, liquid density, volume and air-speed."

Mary H. Saunders, Supervisory Economist, Technology Services
"For her role as a member of the Commerce Department's Commercial Law Development Team which mobilized a network of experts to support economic and legal reforms around the world."

Stephen Seltzer, Supervisory Physicist, Physics Laboratory
"For his expertise with radiation transport codes for high-ionizing radiation that has led to industrial standards used in thousands of applications in the aerospace, medical and defense sectors."

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, NIST strengthens the U.S. economy and improves the quality of life by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards through four partnerships: the Measurement and Standards Laboratories, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Advanced Technology Program, and the Baldrige National Quality Program.