NIST Gallery of Distinguished Alumni 2026 Honorees

Bushby, Steven T. 
Engineering Laboratory, 1979-1983, 1986-2024 
For high-impact research and visionary leadership that revolutionized building automation and enabled interoperable integration of building systems – impacting industry standards, operations, maintenance, reliability and indoor environmental quality worldwide

Gayle, Frank 
Office of Advanced Manufacturing, 1988-2023
For leadership and innovative research supporting national programs in advanced manufacturing, sustainability, building safety, semiconductors, and materials science, while fostering an inspiring workplace

Hudgens, Jeffrey W. 
Material Measurement Laboratory, 1984-2022
For outstanding leadership in laser and mass spectrometry measurements of free radicals and nanoclusters, and for making key advances in protein dynamics analyses that improved patient access to life-saving biosimilar drugs

Neumann, Dan A.
NIST Center for Neutron Research, 1987-2026
For his outstanding contributions to neutron scattering, exceptional leadership in transforming the NCNR into a world-leading facility, and for dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists

Newbury, Dale E.
Material Measurement Laboratory, 1972-2023; 2023-2025
For distinguished leadership in electron-beam microanalysis and metallurgy - consistent innovation, accuracy, and rigor in measurements; and for co-authoring the leading textbook in scanning electron microscopy

Phan, Long T.
Engineering Laboratory, 1988-2025
For pioneering research on extreme hazards, which led to the adoption of the Enhanced Fujita scale and the first tornado-resistant design standards, fundamentally improving national building codes and structural resilience

Sharpless, Katherine Epler
Material Measurement Laboratory, Special Programs Office, 1989-2026
For sustained leadership in developing over 100 food and clinical SRMs, chairing the NIST Editorial Review Board for 17 years, and architecting NIST’s foundational Open Access research plan

Whetstone, James R. 
Material Measurement Laboratory, 1972-2025
For excellence in research to improve the nation’s measurement capabilities, the development of national and international fluid and gas property measurement standards, and for leadership in research of global impact