Mark Peters, Ph.D.

Deputy Director for Programs
Argonne National Laboratory

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As Deputy Director for Programs, Mark Peters leads the development of the long- and short-term strategic plan for Argonne National Laboratory's science and technology mission. He serves on the laboratory's policy-making bodies, and oversees and directs the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program, ensuring the highest-potential and highest-quality proposals are funded. He works closely with laboratory scientists, engineers, senior management, the Board of Governors and the University of Chicago. He ensures engagement at all levels of the laboratory and builds consensus among university, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), area research universities and other critical stakeholders.

Peters joined Argonne in 2004 as senior scientific advisor in the former Applied Science and Technology Directorate. As a detailee to DOE, he supported the director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management in strategic planning and implementation of the long-term science and technology program. Upon his return to Argonne, he became director of program development for nuclear waste management technical work at the laboratory's former Chemical Engineering Division. Most recently, Peters served as the deputy associate laboratory director for Energy Sciences and Engineering. His r esponsibilities included the management and integration of the laboratory's energy R&D portfolio coupled with development of new program opportunities, and management of the energy-related LDRD projects. He also led advanced nuclear fuel cycle activities at Argonne.

Before joining Argonne, Peters was with Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he served as the Yucca Mountain Project science and engineering testing project manager. Prior to joining Los Alamos, he was a research fellow in geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology, focused on trace-element geochemistry. He earned his B.S. degree in geology at Auburn University and his Ph.D. in geophysical sciences from the University of Chicago in 1992.

He has written more than 60 scientific publications and has presented his findings at national and international meetings.