Twenty-three LLNL researchers have been named Distinguished Members of Technical Staff (DMTS) for their extraordinary scientific and technical contributions, as acknowledged by their professional peers and the broader scientific community. As distinguished citizens of the Laboratory and their scientific areas of specialization, DMTS honorees have a sustained history of exceptional achievements and service-minded leadership as role models and mentors in their field. The LDRD program has provided support for 20 of the 23 awardees.
DMTS is the highest technical staff level achievable by a scientist or engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and is a prestigious recognition on the personnel ladder. Appointment to DMTS is reserved for Laboratory scientists and engineers who have demonstrated at least one of the following:
- A sustained history of high-level achievements in programs of importance to the Laboratory.
- A sustained history of distinguished scientific and technical achievements, having become a recognized authority in the field.
- A fundamental and important discovery that has had sustained, widespread impact.
This is the first entry in a series of four Newsline articles honoring the 2024 DMTS cohort: Saeed Assadi, Nathan Barton, Vasily Bulatov, Peter Celliers, Barry Chen, Greg DiPeso, Mike Goldman, David Heinrichs, Richard Hornung, Crystal Jaing, Stephan MacLaren, Kathryn Mohror, Stephen Myers, John Nasstrom, Lisa Poyneer, Craig Siders, Vladimir Smalyuk, Jennifer Swenson, Lars Voss, Jean-Paul Watson, Peter Weber, Tom Wilson and Frank Wong.
Congratulations to all 23 honorees on their noteworthy technical achievements and their continued service to the Laboratory and the scientific community; we look forward to honoring them at a reception in the coming months. The first group of honorees is profiled below:
Peter Celliers, Physical and Life Sciences
Peter Celliers received a Ph.D. in plasma physics from the University of British Columbia with a dissertation in the emerging field of laser-driven shock compression.Celliers joined Lawrence Livermore as a staff scientist in 1994 and his work at LLNL has combined the themes of shock compression, high energy density (HED) physics and optical instrumentation in a variety of fields, including x-ray interferometer systems and optical instrumentation for high-energy-density sciences. He developed advanced implementations of imaging velocimeters, which have seen important applications in various HED fields such as drive tuning for the inertial confinement fusion program and materials properties measurements at high dynamic pressures. Celliers has been particularly involved in studies of hydrogen isotopes using velocimetry diagnostics to elucidate details of the insulator-metal transition at high pressure.Celliers is an American Physical Society (APS) Fellow and is currently serving on the executive of the APS Topical Group on Compression of Condensed Matter as Past-Chair.
“It's a great honor to be recognized as a DMTS and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with many talented scientists and engineers during my career at LLNL. I owe much to these colleagues and to the availability of the tremendous experimental facilities at LLNL (NOVA, JLF and NIF) as well as the OMEGA facility at the University of Rochester,” noted Celliers.
Crystal Jaing, Physical and Life Sciences
Holding a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology, Crystal Jaing serves as group leader of Genomics in the Physical & Life Sciences Directorate at LLNL. Her research areas include pathogen genomics, bio surveillance, microbiome, biomarker discovery and predictive biology. As a molecular biologist, Jaing was pivotal to the development of an award-winning technology that provides new tools to detect bioterrorism attacks, diagnose disease and verify product safety. The technology, known as the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA), allows for the detection of any bacteria or virus on a tested sample within 24 hours. The LLMDA has been commercialized by Thermo Fisher and has been evaluated by the Department of Defense, the Center for Disease Control and university partners. Jaing has led multiple government-funded programs advancing pathogen detection technologies and better understanding of pathogen impacts to human health.
“I am honored to be selected as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff. I am deeply grateful for all the support and opportunities LLNL has provided over the years. It has been a privilege to work alongside exceptional bioscientists and engineers to develop innovative solutions to advance biosecurity and public health,” said Jaing.
Stephen Myers, Physical and Life Sciences
Stephen Myers has 27 years of experience at LLNL as a research seismologist and program leader. He began serving as associate program leader for nuclear detonation detection in 2021, where he coordinates ground and spaced-based research efforts for nuclear explosion monitoring. Myers regularly supports the U.S. as a delegate to Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization meetings, and in 2022 he began serving as Working Group B Task Leader for Technology Refreshment. He frequently instructs scientists in the international and domestic communities on topics of seismology and explosion monitoring. Myers is the author of more than 48 peer-reviewed publications, and he is a recognized world expert in seismic event location and development of seismological earth models. Myers was the recipient of the 2014 Department of Energy E. O. Lawrence Award for contributions to nuclear nonproliferation.
“I greatly appreciate the recognition of being named a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff and the spotlight it puts on nuclear nonproliferation efforts at LLNL,” noted Myers.
Tom Wilson, Physical and Life Sciences
Tom Wilson is internationally recognized for his work in polymer rheology and shape memory polymers. He has served as the leading polymer formulation, chemistry, processing and analysis subject matter expert for over 20 years at LLNL, offering expertise on polymer science activities within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) directorate. His pioneering work in direct ink write siloxanes directly influenced its adoption as the sole manufacturing method for silicone foams for weapon components. Wilson’s efforts and innovations in new materials and processes are revolutionary to weapons production and will likely translate into hundreds of millions of dollars in future program cost savings. He has built and led numerous teams for SD including the advanced manufacturing polymer team, the Polymer Enclave, and others. His contribution of significant staff and student mentoring extends to many DTED engineers and staff across NNSA complex. He received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech and his B.S in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“It’s very hard to put into words how much receiving DMTS status means to me — I am thrilled with the DMTS designation as it affirms I’ve had a positive impact on the Lab and the country,” said Wilson.
Frank Wong, Physical and Life Sciences
Frank Wong has more than 30 years of experience, and a 22-year career at LLNL. He spent 11 years on assignment in Washington, D.C., supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, the National Security Council and the Departments of Homeland Security and State. As an internationally recognized expert in technical, policy, and diplomatic elements of nuclear security, he led the development and implementation of nuclear counterterrorism and nuclear security policies at national and international levels. His highly impactful scenario-based policy discussions on nuclear security engage presidents, prime ministers, ministers, director generals, regulators and scientists. These engagements are instrumental in enabling LLNL’s leadership role at home and abroad, which is unique among the DOE National Laboratory community. Wong has also served as mentor to numerous early-career scientists, federal program managers, and IAEA nuclear security officers. Wong received his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“It is a great honor and a privilege to be recognized as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, and I am also humbled to be included in a group of esteemed scientists. During my career at the Lab, I have been extremely fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who have inspired and pointed me in new and challenging directions, sometimes, allowing me to dive into topics I had never considered. I strive to do the same with the next generation,” said Wong.