42 Employees Earn DOC Awards

The U.S. Department of Commerce has presented 42 employees of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with Gold and Silver Medal Awards—the two highest honors from the department. The individual awards, their recipients and citations describing the work for which the honors were bestowed are listed in the following pages.

Gold Medal 

The Gold Medal, first presented in 1949, is the highest honor award conferred upon an employee of the Department of Commerce. It is bestowed for "distinguished performance characterized by extraordinary, notable or prestigious contributions that impact the mission of the Department of Commerce and/or one operating unit and which reflect favorably on the Department." Awards are given in the following categories: leadership, personal and professional excellence, scientific/engineering achievement, organizational development, customer service, administrative/technical support, and heroism. 

Scientific/Engineering Achievement 

• Carl J. Williams, Chief, Atomic Physics Division, Physics Laboratory

For contributions to the theory and application of atomic clocks, ultra cold atomic physics and quantum information science.

• James C. Bergquist, Physicist; and Till P. Rosenband, Physicist

The members of this group are from the Physics Laboratory.

For exceptional scientific creativity and accomplishment in developing new types of atomic clocks with best-in-the-world performance.

• Stephen I. Kerber, Fire Protection Engineer; and Daniel Madrzykowski, Fire Protection Engineer

Both members of this group are from the Building and Fire Research Laboratory.

For advancing scientific understanding of ventilation and wind effects on building fires and for impacting fire fighting practices.

• Stephen Quirolgico, Computer Scientist; and Mudumbai Ranganathan, Computer Engineer (As members of a National Technical Information Agency team)

Both members of this group are from the Information Technology Laboratory.

For developing open-source software tool critical for testing public safety radio interfaces.

• John M. Butler, NIST Fellow; David L. Duewer, Research Chemist; Margaret C. Kline, Biologist; Janette W. Redman, Physical Scientist Technician; and Peter M. Vallone, Research Chemist

The members of this group are from the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory.

For research and measurement services in the area of human identity testing to support the criminal justice, legal, and disaster recovery communities.

• William E. Burr, Supervisory Electronics Engineer; David W. Flater, Computer Scientist; Alan H. Goldfine, Computer Scientist; Barbara Guttman, Supervisory Information Technology Specialist; Nelson E. Hastings, Electronics Engineer; John M. Kelsey, Computer Scientist; Sharon J. Laskowski, Supervisory Computer Scientist; Mark W. Skall, Chief, Software and Systems Division; and John P. Wack, Computer Scientist

All members of this group are from the Information Technology Laboratory.

For scientific achievement in the development of voting systems standards and guidelines.

Silver Medal 

The Silver Medal Award is the second highest honor awarded by the Department of Commerce. It is bestowed for "exceptional performance characterized by noteworthy or superlative contributions that have a direct and lasting impact within the Department." Awards are given in the following categories: leadership, personal and professional excellence, scientific/engineering achievement, organizational development, customer service, administrative/technical support, and heroism. The award was initiated in 1949. 

Personal and Professional Excellence 

• Kevin G. Brady, Supervisory Computer Scientist, Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory

For exceptional initiative and dedication in spearheading multiple unique computer systems to support NIST's research and administrative processes.

Scientific/Engineering Achievement 

• Andrew K. Persily, Supervisory Mechanical Engineer, Building and Fire Research Laboratory

For development of the measurement science and guidance required to protect buildings from airborne chemical and biological events.

• Stephen A. Wise, Chief, Analytical Chemistry Division, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory

For outstanding achievement in organic chemical measurement science and Standard Reference Materials development.

• Alan Mink, Electronics Engineer; and Xiao Tang, Supervisory Physical Scientist

Both members of this group are from the Information Technology Laboratory.

For technical excellence in the development of the world's most capable optical fiber-based quantum system for secure exchange of cryptographic keys.

• Ravikiran Attota, Mechanical Engineer; Richard M. Silver, Physicist; and Michael T. Stocker, Electronics Technician

The members of this group are from the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory.

For major innovations in semiconductor overlay metrology hardware and target designs, allowing processors and memory with 10 times greater density.

• Uwe Arp, Physicist; Charles E. Gibson, Jr., Physicist; Ping-Shine Shaw, Physicist; and Howard W. Yoon, Physicist

The members of this group are from the Physics Laboratory.

For advancing ultraviolet radiation measurement science for application in materials processing, semiconductor manufacturing and space sciences.

• Andrew J. Allen, Physicist; John E. Bonevich, Metallurgist; Robert F. Cook, Supervisory Physicist; Vincent A. Hackley, Research Chemist; Debra L. Kaiser, Chief, Ceramics Division; Leonard F. Pease III, Chemical Engineer; Andras E. Vladar, Electrical Engineer; Michael R. Winchester, Research Chemist; and Rebecca A. Zangmeister, Chemist

The members of this group are from the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, and Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory.

For developing gold nanoparticle reference materials for biomedical applications and environmental, health, and safety risk assessment.