HONORED -- Mike Kaminski (CMT) has won the Outstanding Technical Achievement Award from a Hispanic engineering organization, the third Argonne researcher — and the second in a row — to do so. He led a project to develop a spray-on, super-absorbent gel to safely capture and dispose of radioactive elements in porous structures. Photo by George Joch.

Aug. 30 , 2004 -- Some of this week's stories:

Hispanic engineering society
honors Argonne researcher

By Dinesh Ramde

An Argonne researcher has won the Outstanding Technical Achievement Award from a Hispanic engineering organization, the third Argonne researcher — and the second in a row — to do so.

Mike Kaminski (CMT), at 32 the youngest researcher to win this award, has won the 2004 Outstanding Technical Achievement award from HENAAC, the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Award Corporation. The award recognizes the contributions of outstanding Hispanic-American science, engineering, technology and math professionals.

"I'm very happy, very proud to have won this award," Kaminski said. "Orlando Auciello (Argonne materials scientist) won this award last year, and knowing how brilliant a scientist he is and how much respect people have for his skills, it's a tremendous honor to follow him."

Because HENAAC typically awards prizes in recognition of a career of accomplishments, it's unusual for a researcher as young as Kaminski to have won at such an early point in his career. Kaminski, a materials engineer who leads a research group in nanoscale engineering, has three degrees in nuclear engineering, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He interned at Argonne in 1992, but he only began his full-time career in 1998.

Still, his research is revolutionary. On one project with Argonne deputy associate laboratory director Luis Nuñez, also a former HENAAC winner, he studies the use of magnetic nanoparticles in removing toxins and radioactivity. Explaining one possible application, Kaminski said cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have powerful drugs throughout their entire systems that threaten harmful side effects. But if the drugs had magnetic markers attached, doctors could use magnets to concentrate the drug only at the relevant therapy site.

This is the type of research HENAAC is proud to highlight, said Bertha Haro, HENAAC's Corporate and Government Relations Manager.

"The Outstanding Technical Achievement award is based on criteria such as how unique the person's research is, the benefit the research has to humankind, and the person's potential as a role model," Haro said.

Though Kaminski's name is Polish, his mother emigrated from Mexico. HENAAC, he said, performs a vital community service by opening people's eyes to the diversity of people like him.

"Diversity is great for innovation, and it helps us grow not just as a group but as a nation. Each person brings something to the table, regardless of race, and it's great that HENAAC plays such a prominent role in helping to remove stereotypes," he said.

Auciello, last year's winner and a senior scientist at Argonne, was excited for Kaminski.

"This award was very well-deserved," he said. "Mike is doing outstanding science here at Argonne, and it's great to see him recognized for that."

Cell phones can replace expensive 2-way radios

A new Web site, nextelargonne.com, lists prices, plans and information for employees who want to trade in expensive two-way radios for cell phones that cost as little as 99 cents.

The new Nextel cell tower installed at Argonne-East in June will improve phone reception on site, allowing employees who relied on two-way radios to use cheaper but equally reliable cell phones instead.

The new transmitter will save the laboratory an estimated $1.5 million next year. Federal agencies are required to upgrade from wide-band radios to narrow-band digital by 2005, said Mike Vonder Heide (CIS), section head of telecommunications. To comply, Argonne would have had to purchase 600 new Motorola radios for as much as $2,500 each. But with this Nextel agreement, Argonne can instead make do with 100 Motorola radios and replace the rest with Nextel phones for as little as 99 cents apiece, for substantial savings.

Improved safety, emergency response

Emergency Management Officer Gary Winner (EQO) said this technology will also save money and improve safety for the people who work alone at night, on weekends, or in remote areas.

"Argonne policy requires personnel in remote areas or hazardous activities to have the capability to access help, which in the past meant providing them with a radio that costs several thousand dollars or assuring a land line telephone was available. Now there is an alternative: reliable cell phone capability for peanuts," Winner said.

According to Winner, this alternative may also prove extremely valuable by providing the next generation of inexpensive communications for Area Emergency Supervisors (AES) on site. "Each AES on site currently has a radio provided by their respective divisions.  The FCC requirement to change radios would impact them also. The Nextel cell really brings a value added replacement to the current radio system. One very portable Nextel unit will be able to replace a radio and a pager as well as provide a telephone capability for an AES,"  Winner said.

The shift to the Nextel system as the primary communication mode for Area Emergency Supervisors will depend on how soon all area emergency supervisors transition to a Nextel cell phone. The Fire Alarm Office and the Emergency Response Center currently have Nextel base stations to support the transition process.

Wellness program offers
screenings for heart disease, diabetes ...

A heart and diabetes screening will be held at Argonne-East Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. in the Building 213 Cafeteria, Dining Rooms A and B.

The screening includes a blood test for a complete lipid profile and fasting glucose measurement, a blood pressure check and body mass index measurement.

The cost is $5. Payments should be made directly to Preventures in cash or a personal check payable to "Preventures." Pre-registration is required; call the Medical Department at ext. 2-2800.

... and Yoga sessions

Yoga will be offered at Argonne-East on Tuesdays from Sept. 21 to Nov. 9. The eight-week sessions cost $48 and will be offered at three times:

Session I — 11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

Session II — 12:30 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.

Session III — 5:15 p.m. - 6:05 p.m.

Instructors will be Diana Coates and Mary Kay Holmes. Sessions will be cancelled if there are fewer than 15 participants registered. Call ext. 2-2803 for more information.

Ar'Gang

NEW ARRIVALS

A boy, Ryan Michael, born July 10 to Jessie (C&PA) and Michael Skwarek (CIS) and proud grandmother Mary Kay Skwarek (CIS). A boy, Nathan, born July 7 to Jim and Dawn Braatz (IPD); a girl, Anna Ying, born June 26 to Khalil Amine (CMT); a boy, Merlin, born June 30 to Yuying and Wenquan Lu (CMT); a girl, Natalie Rose, born July 6 to Ed Polzin (CMT); a son, Ethan Thomas, born April 15 to Shannon and Chris Roehrig (XFD); a son, Matthias Kantilal Mehta, born May 24 to Tara and Jorg Maser (XFD); a boy, Nicholas Edmund, born July 16 to Terry (ET) and Bill Bray (PFS-WMO).

Proud grandparents: a grandson, Abhinav, born July 27 to Arun and Swati Wagh (IPD); a granddaughter, Hannah Lily, born June 23 to Helene and Steve Gabelnick (CMT); a granddaughter, Karisa Ann, born June 4 to Jay Liaw (NE); a granddaughter, Annabelle Etheridge, born July 13 to Joe Braun (NE); twin grandsons, born July 31 to Cynthia Guendling (PFS-WMO); a granddaughter, Amber Rose, born June 23 to Linda and James Zmuda (IPNS); a granddaughter, Kaylie Marie, born June 28 to Hank and Linda Slomski (OCF-PRO).

WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS

Congratulations to James Ralph (CMT) who married Laura Hoof on May 15; Ron Martin (NE) who married Eleanor Daly on May 28; David Garbin (PFS-WMO) who married Bobbie Vanoskey on August 1; Michelle Timm (PFS-WMO) on her recent engagement to Andy Kerrins; David Ercoli (PFS-CU) and Tracy Rogness (OPS) on their recent wedding.

WELCOME

ES welcomes Andrew Burnham. EQO welcomes Eric Halvorsen and Sandy Buckley. PFS-CU welcomes Janet Benson and Joseph Kamely.

TRANSFERS

Good luck to Melissa Pratt who transferred from C&PA to CMT; Greg Walker who transferred from PFS-CU to PFS-US.

GET WELL

Get well to Toni Freckelton (IPD-TIS), Virginia Brown (PFS-CU), Jim Voss (PFS-CU), Minnie Arvans (PFS-CU), Ken Casa (PFS-CU), Terry Allocco (PFS-CU), and John Wammack (NE).

PROMOTIONS

Promotions reported to Ar'Gang this month include: Tim Ortiz (EQO-TR) was promoted to CBT Administrator. Mary Aldarondo (PFS-CU) was promoted to Janitor Group Leader.

FAREWELL

Good luck to Gilles Monnet (ES), Libby Stull (EAD), Ed Pentecost (EAD), Joey Cheng (EAD), James Kedvesh (EAD), John Lindsay (EAD), Julie Margalus (EAD), Aubrey McGaughy (EAD), Dale Pflug (EAD), Helen Cordell (LEG), and Reginald Walker (PFS-WMO) who have left the laboratory.

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to Marianne Adair (C&PA) on the death of her mother; Kyeong Lee (ES) on the death of his mother-in-law; Jackie Copple (CMT) on the death of her father; Tom Burt (CMT) on the death of his mother; Steve Gabelnick (CMT) on the death of his sister-in-law; Bob Wynveen (EQO) on the death of his father; Larry Johnson (EST) on the death of his mother-in-law; Ray Peterson (PFS-CU) on the death of his brother; Cheryl Giacomi (ASD-VT) on the death of her father; Stan Johnson (ASD-SVY) on the death of his brother; Tom Johnson (PFS-CU) on the death of his brother.

CONTRIBUTORS

Thanks to this issue's contributors: Maria Gerches (IPNS), Sharon Giblin (LEG), Lori Greenwood (EAD), Brea Grischkat (NE), Diana Grygiel (EQO), Georgianne Lamb (PFS), Patricia McUmber (ASD), Cathy Nelson (IPD), Karen Neumann (PFS-WMO), Sally Peters (OCF-PRO), Faith Ruppert (CMT) and Kim Tomasko (ES).

Pool league
seeks players
for fall season

The Argonne Pool League is seeking regular and substitute players of all skill levels for its 2004 fall session.

The session begins Tuesday, Sept. 14, and will meet every Tuesday through Dec. 14. Play begins at 6 p.m. at Q Billiards, 8109 S. Cass Avenue, Darien, about a mile north of Argonne-East's North Gate.

This is a handicapped, team format, 8-Ball pool league. Male and female players of all skill levels, including beginners, are encouraged to join.

Family and friends of Argonne employees are also welcome.

Players will be placed on existing teams or fully formed new teams and some experienced players may be added. There are usually six to eight players per team.

For more information, call Art Kahaian (CMT) at ext. 2-1944, Cheryl Nelson (EQO) at ext. 2-3310 or Chuck Batson at (630) 739-7106.

Labor Day to change deadlines ...

Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all news, seminars and classified ads for the Monday, Sept. 13, issue of Argonne News must be submitted by noon, Friday, Sept. 3.

... and Guest House will be closed

Argonne-East's Guest House Restaurant will be closed Sept. 4-6 for the Labor Day holiday. The restaurant will reopen for breakfast at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7.

The 402 Grill will be open:

Saturday, Sept. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The grill's regular hours will resume Tuesday, Sept. 7: Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

HR classes

A Human Resources class enrollment form is online, or contact a Training Management System representative. Call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for more information.

September classes offered by Human Resources include:

"Fitness for Duty" (HR226) — Thursday, Sept. 23, 1-5 p.m., Building 401, Room E1100. Employees are required to report to work fit and able to perform the essential functions of the assigned job. Supervisors are responsible for referring an employee to the Medical Department if there is a concern for that employee's fitness for duty. This course provides supervisors with an awareness of their responsibilities and the support they can receive from other Argonne groups when dealing with fitness-for-duty situations.

Performance Management Workshop Series:

"Writing Performance Appraisals" (HR294) — Monday, Sept. 27, 1-3 p.m., Building 201, Room 190. Learn to clearly document performance appraisals based on specific employee behaviors. Participants will write and rewrite examples, both individually and as a group, and complete the appraisal section for a direct report.

"Crafting Goals" (HR295) — Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m., Building 201, Room 190. Participants will learn to develop employee goals that are meaningful for the employee, support the work of the organization and are specific, measurable and verifiable. Participants will write and rewrite goals, both individually and as a group, and complete the "specific goals for next year" section for a direct report.

"The Conversation" (HR296) — Thursday, Sept. 30, 1-3 p.m., Building 201, Room 190. Supervisors will learn to identify the most important messages to deliver in the performance appraisal discussion, and practice the appraisal conversation in a series of role-playing exercises depicting a range of scenarios.

Retirement vendors to visit ANL-East

The laboratory's retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne-East during September to meet to answer employees' questions about retirement plans and retirement plan assets.

To schedule an appointment with these representatives, call the number listed. Appointments are for one-half hour each.

Fidelity — Tuesday, Sept. 7, and Tuesday, Sept. 21. Call the appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.

TIAA-CREF — Tuesday, Sept. 7, and Wednesday, Sept. 8. Call the appointment desk at (800) 842-2005 or visit the Web site at www.tiaa-cref/moc.

Prudential — Wednesday, Sept. 1, and Wednesday, Sept. 15. Mornings only. Call Cheryl at (847) 619-3519.

In memoriam

Daniel S. Giroux, a retired staff assistant with 37 years of service in the Office of Public Affairs Division, died July 25. His wife, Phyllis, survives him.

Patricia D. Walsh, a retired scientific assistant with 45 years of service in the Chemistry Division, died in July.

Philip Yuster, a retired senior chemist with 30 years of service in the Chemistry Division, died Oct. 14, 2003. His son, Thomas, survives him.

Future of ESnet
will be topic
of workshop

The U.S Department of Energy's ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) will hold a workshop Oct. 27-29 to help plan the future directions for ESnet Collaboration Services. The workshop will be held at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif.

ESnet Collaborative Services provides a number of online services aimed at improving interaction among researchers at the many national laboratories and universities served by ESnet. Users, engineers and managers of collaboration services at all DOE ESnet research centers are invited to attend.

The workshop agenda will consist of noted guest speakers in the fields of voice, video and data services.

More information on the agenda, speakers, and registration is online.

Pull tabs can
benefit families
of sick children

The Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) is collecting pop-top tabs from canned drinks to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Ronald McDonald Houses provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The facility provides a comfortable, supportive temporary residence where family members can sleep, eat, relax and find support from other families in similar situations.

Send tabs by inter-office mail to Fran Coose (XFD) in Argonne-East's Building 401 or Sandra Biedron (ES) in Building 200.