Researcher receives first-ever LANSCE Director's Award

Contact: David Lyons, (505) 665 9198 (00-014)

Recent News Los Alamos scientist named Asian American Engineer of the Year Los Alamos scientist featured in NASA science update Los Alamos muon detector could thwart nuclear smugglers Wojciech H. Zurek named Phi Beta Kappa visiting scholar Four Los Alamos physicists honored by American Physical Society Los Alamos National Laboratory organizations earn seven out of 13 NNSA Pollution Prevention awards Carter Hydrick returns to the Bradbury Science Museum Feb. 15 Laboratory supports summer science program New NASA IBEX mission to carry Los Alamos instrument Beason takes top threat reduction post at Los Alamos

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Jan. 26, 2000 -- Gregory Smith of the Department of Energy's Los Alamos Neutron Science Center has received the first LANSCE Director's Award for Scientific Excellence.

The 12-year Los Alamos veteran received a plaque and a $2,000 cash prize for demonstrated scientific excellence and leadership from LANSCE Division Director Roger Pynn on the last day of the fourth annual LANSCE User Group Meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott in Santa Fe.

"Greg truly deserves this award," said Pynn. "His internationally recognized studies in soft condensed matter, expertise in neutron scattering techniques, numerous technical papers and enthusiastic support and mentoring of young researchers at LANSCE are unequaled. He certainly sets the standard for future LANSCE Director's Award winners."

Smith said, "I'm particularly pleased to receive this award because I'm being recognized by my peers. To be recognized in this fashion is pretty overwhelming."

Smith was nominated by colleagues outside of Los Alamos who come to LANSCE to use its neutron-scattering facilities, learn neutron-scattering techniques or collaborate on projects. The LANSCE User Group Executive Committee selected Smith for the award.

Smith received his bachelor's degree in physics from Marietta College in Ohio and his doctorate in physics from Iowa State University. He worked as a postdoctoral student for Exxon Research and Engineering Co. in New Jersey for three years before coming to Los Alamos.

Smith is known worldwide for his expertise in several neutron-scattering techniques, most notably neutron reflectometry, in which neutrons are reflected off the surfaces of biological materials and soft-condensed matter to further the understanding the materials' surface structures at
the molecular level.

Smith designed and built Los Alamos' first neutron reflectometer and accompanying software in 1988. The reflectometer has been a part of Los Alamos' user program at the Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center, a DOE national user facility, since 1989. He also designed and built an innovative humidity-controlled oven that allows neutron reflectometry to be used to characterize free-standing, multilayer membranes.

Among Smith's current collaborations is a study of the structure of molecules in advanced-delivery drug systems with the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Smith received a Los Alamos Achievement Award in 1999 in recognition of his leadership as acting deputy group leader of the Lujan center. He is a member of the American Physical Society and Materials Research Society, among others.

More news releases from the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE)