Former INL researcher named to National Academy of Engineering

Dr. Frank Roberto

Dr. Frank Roberto, recently retired from Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the most prestigious distinctions an engineer can receive.

Roberto is currently senior manager for process innovation at Newmont Corporation’s Malozemoff Technical Facility in Englewood, Colorado. He worked at INL from 1988 to 2012, and his affiliation with the lab continued until 2019.
Roberto was nominated to the academy for “advancing biotechnical applications for environmentally responsible mine production.”

The NAE is one of three academies affiliated with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, founded in 1863 to “marshal the energy and intellect of the nation’s critical thinkers to respond to policy challenges with science, engineering and medicine at their core.” Roberto was elected to the academy’s section on Earth Resources, which studies issues relevant to the supply, delivery and associated impacts of hydrocarbon, metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources and mineral and nonmineral energy resource systems.

In the nearly 25 years he spent at INL, Roberto progressed to the rank of Directorate Fellow, managing diverse research projects and technical teams in the biological sciences, specializing in microbiological techniques for metallurgical leaching (biomining). He participated on editorial boards of microbiology-related journals for professional societies, served on state and federal technical and scientific committees, and chaired the U.S. Department of Energy's Biosafety Working Group within the Emergency Management Issues–Special Interest Group (EMI-SIG) Subcommittee on Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions (SCAPA). He also served as DOE's liaison to the American Biological Safety Association. In 2018, he became a registered member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Engineering.

"In the years I worked with Frank, I found him to have extraordinary insights into microbiology and metallurgy," said Dr. Vicki Thompson, a longtime colleague and distinguished staff engineer in INL's Biological and Chemical Processing Department. "I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor than he is."

Each year, academy members vote on candidates whom they judge to have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practices or education. Nominations are made confidentially by existing members and must include three recommendations. The ballot is set in December and the final vote for membership occurs during January.

In 2020, 87 members and 18 international members were voted into the NAE, bringing total membership to 2,309 and the number of international members to 281. Individuals in the newly elected class will be formally inducted during a ceremony at the NAE's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 4.

Roberto earned his doctorate in biochemistry (plant physiology emphasis) from the University of California, Riverside and performed postdoctoral research in molecular plant pathology with Dr. Tsune Kosuge at the University of California, Davis. He is the second engineer with a longtime INL association to have been voted into the NAE. Kathryn McCarthy, formerly of INL and now vice president for research and development at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, was elected in 2019.

Center for Advanced Energy Studies announces participants in third annual Summer Visiting Faculty Program

The Center for Advanced Energy Studies' 55,000-square-foot building in Idaho Falls

The Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) Leadership team is pleased to announce the selected participants for the 2020 CAES Summer Visiting Faculty Program (CSVFP). In its third year, this collaborative program was created in 2018 to promote one-on-one partnerships and collaboration between university faculty and researchers at Idaho National Laboratory in order to form unified research teams to address critical issues in energy-related science and engineering.

CAES is a research, education, and innovation consortium consisting of Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the four public research universities of Idaho and Wyoming: Boise State University (BSU), Idaho State University (ISU), University of Idaho (UI), and University of Wyoming (UW). Students and researchers perform collaborative research at locations at all five institutions and at the 55,000-square-foot CAES building in Idaho Falls. CAES harnesses the power of collaboration by leveraging the expertise, capabilities, and facilities among consortium members.

The CAES strategy of one-on-one partnerships builds and sustains a research collaboration ecosystem in seven focus areas: nuclear energy; energy-water nexus; cybersecurity; advanced manufacturing; innovative energy systems; energy policy; and computing, data, and visualization. The CSVFP is one of the tools used to implement that strategy. It generates the mechanism to establish the initial partnerships and requires participants to develop a joint-funded research proposal for submission to DOE or other energy-focused federal and state agencies. If funded, the proposal would sustain the partnership for years.

The program allows faculty members to learn about the inner workings of a national laboratory, its capabilities and expertise, and to build lasting networks. It gives INL researchers the chance to build new academic connections, access diversified funding sources, and connect with students supporting the faculty member. Students are involved throughout the process, thus training a new generation of energy-related scientists and engineers and offering the faculty-researcher connections that build a diverse pipeline for students to transition from university to employment at the national laboratory.

The annual program begins in May, when university faculty spend a week in residence at INL to brainstorm ideas with their INL counterparts and learn about capabilities, then return home and work remotely but collaboratively for two months on proposal writing. (Plans are underway this year to hold the kickoff week online rather than in person due to COVID-19.) Proposals are presented remotely to an internal review panel, then revised over two weeks before faculty return to INL for presentations and networking. The written proposals are submitted to the CAES Executive Board as a program deliverable, with the final proposal to be submitted later in the year in response to an appropriate funding opportunity announcement.

Here are the participants for the 2020 CSVFP:

INL announces Equal by 30 campaign

Idaho National Laboratory announced today it has signed on to Equal by 30, a campaign where public and private sector organizations work toward equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women in the clean energy sector by 2030.

Twelve nations, including the United States, and over 100 public and private sector organizations from around the world have signed on to the Equal by 30 campaign. INL is the first national laboratory to join the campaign.

The laboratory has been taking concrete steps toward being an inclusive employer of choice for several years. It was recognized as a Top Employer by Professional Woman’s Magazine in 2019 and joined the Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy initiative earlier this year. Signing on to the Equal by 30 campaign is yet another step in the right direction.

“At INL, we are working hard to be more inclusive and diversify our staff, and we are absolutely committed to ending gender inequality in the workplace,” said Dr. Mark Peters, INL director.

Equal by 30 asks organizations, companies and governments to endorse high-level principles, then commit to measurable goals to accelerate the participation of women in the clean energy sector and close the gender gap.

INL already performs regular pay equity assessments and allows flexible working hours and telecommuting arrangements that help to support family-related responsibilities.

In addition, as part of its commitment to the initiative, INL will provide inclusive hiring training for all managers, continue to conduct laboratory-wide unconscious bias and inclusive leadership training to increase psychological safety and build trust, monitor INL’s inclusive culture and develop actions plans via a biennial survey, and continue to support the Idaho Women in Nuclear (IWIN) chapter of U.S. Women in Nuclear.

“Joining Equal by 30 is an affirmation of INL’s strong commitment to gender equality: It is the right thing to do! A diverse workforce helps ensure that INL is fully prepared to serve the national and international communities as we work to resolve the world’s pressing energy and security challenges,” said Dr. Marianne Walck, INL deputy laboratory director for Science and Technology and chief research officer.

Southeastern Idaho Public Health offers COVID-19 guidelines, strategies for coping

COVID-19 is a serious health threat, and the situation is evolving daily. The risk varies between communities, but given the increasing number of cases in southeast Idaho, the risk for community spread is increasing.

Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in a specific area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. “Community spread is often a trigger to begin implementing new strategies tailored to local circumstances that slow the spread of COVID-19,” said
Maggie Mann, Southeastern Idaho Public Health District Director. Some areas are reporting
transmission of the virus due to travel or exposure to a known case of someone with the virus. Other
areas of Idaho such as Blaine and Ada counties are reporting community spread.

A COVID-19 outbreak could potentially last for a long time in your community. Depending on the
severity of the outbreak, your community may recommend community actions designed to help keep
people healthy, reduce exposure to COVID-19, and slow the spread of the disease.

Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the
event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case the virus spreads in your community:

• Talk with the people who need to be included in your family plan.
• Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications.
  Know where to find local information on COVID-19 cases such as coronavirus.idaho.gov or
  siphidaho.org.
  Following the Governor’s Stay-Home Order
• Establish ways to communicate with others (family, friends, co-workers and neighbors
• Plan for potential changes in your workplace.
• Discuss sick-leave policies and telework options.
• Identify aid organizations in your community.

“As COVID-19, continues to spread around Idaho we are urging our communities to actively prepare
for the potential spread of coronavirus. We know that the spread of COVID-19 will occur. However,
everyone can do their part to slow the rate at which this virus is spread,” said Mann.

Continue practicing everyday preventative actions such as:

• Limiting close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet)
• Avoiding people who are sick
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and
• water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Stay home if you are sick
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs
• using a disinfecting solution.

For more information, visit www.siphidaho.org or cdc.gov; call Southeastern Idaho Public Health’s
hotline at 208.234.5875; or watch SIPH’s Facebook Live segment every Monday – Friday at 11 a.m.

Bank of Idaho, INL help establish Community Commitment Fund

Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho CEO

Bank of Idaho and Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in connection with local non-profit leaders and public health team members, have initiated a public- community commitment fund in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As of Tuesday, any person can visit a local Bank of Idaho branch and donate to the East Idaho Community Commitment Fund. This fund has been set up to help non-profit agencies and community partners who need emergency, rapid funding to continue operations, and help individuals in need or solve immediate issues caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). Agencies are asking individuals to consider donating to the fund. Any amount helps and will immediately be distributed to local non-profits with urgent community needs.

In coordinated efforts, Bank of Idaho and INL have both pledged $5,000 to kick off the fund and help local non-profits with immediate needs. “This Community Commitment Fund will provide the necessary immediate support, resources, and funding for nonprofits to continue serving our communities respectively during this very difficult time," said Monica Bitrick, Idaho Falls Family YMCA CEO and community liaison representing non-profits in east Idaho from Ashton to American Falls. "We truly appreciate the leadership and commitment from Bank of Idaho and Idaho National Laboratory to provide the very generous lead donations for the East Idaho Community Fund. We hope additional business and community leaders will consider supporting our non-profit community during this difficult time.”

Mark Peters, INL director

“The coronavirus is creating some very interesting times," said Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho President and CEO. "Much of the activity and response we are seeing to the spread is unprecedented. I’ve been in touch with many local officials and non-profit teams and the coordination, planning and preparedness throughout Idaho has been awe inspiring. We are committed to the communities we serve. After all, we are the bank with a heart.”

"At INL, we are committed to our communities, and proud to join a partnership that will help those in need as a result of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 virus,” said Mark Peters, INL Laboratory Director. “I encourage everyone to contribute what they can, while we protect our most vulnerable community members through social distancing. We appreciate our partners coming together. Looking out for each other, we will get through this, and make sure no eastern Idahoans are left behind."

A committee of business and non-profit leaders has been created to allocate funds appropriately to those with the greatest need. Agency leaders include Karen Baker, Museum of Idaho; Christine Wiersema, Idaho Falls and Bonneville County United Way; Karen Lansing, Habitat for Humanity; Misty Benjamin, INL Community Relations; and Tyler Kraupp, Bank of Idaho.

You can donate to the fund online or drive though any local Bank of Idaho branch and mention you’d like to make a deposit to the Community Commitment Fund. To view where the dollars are going and to learn more about the community partners involved, visit bankofidaho.com/community.