Laboratory employees recognized by Native American Science, Engineering Society

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206 (04-003)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Jan. 28, 2004 -- Los Alamos National Laboratory employees Barbara Tenorio-Grimes of the Government Relations Office and Roger Byrd of the Space and Atmospheric Sciences Group are recipients of the 2003 community service award from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

The nonprofit organization recently recognized Tenorio-Grimes and Byrd at its national conference in Albuquerque. The award is in recognition of commitment, service and dedication to AISES.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society is a national, nonprofit organization that nurtures the building of community by bridging science and technology with traditional Native American values. Through its educational programs, AISES provides opportunities for American Indians and Native Alaskans to pursue studies in science, engineering and technology arenas.

Tenorio-Grimes came to Los Alamos in July 1990 in the Laboratory's former Affirmative Action Office, now the Office of Equal Opportunity. A native of San Felipe Pueblo, Tenorio-Grimes has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of New Mexico and a master's degree in education from Arizona State University.

Tenorio-Grimes is a member of the American Indian Diversity Working Group out of Los Alamos' Diversity Office and started the Laboratory's American Indian Council, the precursor to the present diversity working group.

Tenorio-Grimes has organized scholarship reading sessions for AISES; recruits volunteers to serve as science fair and Science Bowl judges; does educational outreach in tribal communities throughout New Mexico, many of whom have schools with a working relationship with AISES; and develops education initiatives in partnership with the University of California, University of New Mexico, other colleges, tribal schools or schools with significant American Indian enrollment.

She also was a member of the AISES conference volunteer committee responsible for recruiting volunteers to work at last year's national conference.

Byrd came to the Laboratory in September 1986 in the former Medium Energy Physics Group. He has a bachelor's degree in physics from Georgia Tech and a doctoral degree in nuclear physics from Duke University.

Byrd also has been active in the American Indian Diversity Working Group since the early 1990s. Earlier this year, Byrd was made a "Sequoyah" Fellow in AISES, which signifies lifetime membership.

Byrd also has participated in numerous AISES activities, including science fairs, summer programs and spoke at a AISES leadership conference earlier this year.

At the November 2003 AISES national conference, Byrd organized the graduate-student poster session.

Both received a plaque and a "Circle of Life" blanket from AISES.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, developing technical solutions to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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