Eight Argonne employees recently were honored for their exceptional work as mentors and supervisors. “Their work is essential and should serve as an example for all of us to follow,” said Argonne Director Peter Littlewood who presented the awards at a recent reception to celebrate the winners.
“We are privileged to have here at Argonne a tremendous group of talented and driven post-docs. Supporting their success is critical, as they are the future of their respective fields,” Littlewood said before presenting the 2016 Outstanding Postdoctoral Supervisor Award to Maria Chan (NST) and Sibendu Som (ES).
“The post-doc who nominated Maria for this award noted that Maria’s supportive guidance began during the application process and cemented the post-doc’s decision to come to Argonne,” Littlewood said. “The post-doc who nominated Sibendu noted how Sibendu gave him opportunities to gain leadership experience, acquire expertise in new areas and collaborate with others at the lab.”
In presenting the 2016 Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentor Award to Leah Guzowski (GSS), Littlewood said, “The post-doc who nominated Leah for this award praised the encouragement and sense of inclusion that comes across in Leah’s every interaction, from big to small and formal to informal.”
Sang Soo Lee (CSE) and Tijana Rajh (NST) received honorable mentions as Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentors. In their nominations, Littlewood told the assembled crowd, “Sang Soo was commended for not only the career assistance he offers as a mentor, but also for helping post-docs navigate the Argonne professional culture. Tijana was praised for respecting and treating post-docs as equals and creating a supportive environment where post-docs feel naturally encouraged to pursue their passions and creativity.”
Devin Hodge (JCESR) and Ken Kemner (BIO) received the 2016 Outstanding Staff Mentor Award. Angelica Alfaro (TDC) received an honorable mention.
“Devin’s nomination described him as genuinely wanting his mentees to succeed. His words and deeds communicate that Devin feels it is a privilege to help,” Littlewood told the audience. “Ken ensured that his mentee was attending the right meetings and introduced him to global leaders in the field, and also supported his mentee’s efforts to acquire a Director’s Fellowship, which the mentee did on his second application. In her nomination, Angie was commended for the help she gave an Argonne Associate through both weekly formal mentoring sessions and day-to-day assistance.”
“As we aim to make our workforce here at Argonne more diverse and inclusive, it is critical that we not only recruit the best and brightest, but also do everything we can to encourage and enable them to achieve their highest potential while they’re here,” Littlewood said. “Mentoring is a vital part of that effort.”
There were more than 70 nominations submitted for consideration this year. Nomination essays were reviewed using a blind process by a team of staff and postdocs from across the lab. Essays were scrubbed of identifying information such as names, divisional information and gender-specific language. The reviewers ranked the essays using criteria provided in the nomination form.
“With so many outstanding submissions, it was difficult to arrive at the final selections,” said Postdoctoral Program Lead, Tina Henne (ALI), who facilitated the selection process. “It was heartening to read how our staff creates an enriching work experience through mentoring. We received nominations from the programmatic areas, administrative and mission support areas. This really emphasizes that mentoring is important at all career levels and in all career paths.”
The Leadership Institute would like to thank the staff and postdocs who volunteered their time to serve on the review team. This year’s team included Postdoctoral Society of Argonne Officers, Muge Acik (NST) and Noah Van Dam (ES), recent postdoctoral alumni and current staff members, Diego Fazi (SIO), Perry Motsegood (NE), Jeremy Love (HEP) and Argonne staff, Florent Heidet (NE), Katie Carrado Gregar (CNM), John Arrington (PHY), Bo Feng (NE), Balendra Sutharshan (EGS) and Lydia Finney (ALI).
Employees interested in helping with next year’s awards should contact Henne at [email protected].
Pictured Above:
Argonne Director Peter Littlewood poses with recipients of the 2016 Outstanding Supervisor and Outstanding Mentor awards. Back row from left: Sang Soo Lee (CSE), Devin Hodge (JCESR), Argonne Director Peter Littlewood, Sibendu Som (ES). Front row from left: Tijana Rajh (NST), Maria Chan (NST), Angelica Alfaro (TDC), Robin Graham (CELS) standing in for Ken Kemner (BIO), Leah Guzowski (GSS).
Photo by Erik Rachie
