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Chemist Susan Oldham

Conducting Basic Research in the Fundamental Chemistry of Actinide Elements

Susan Oldham

As a postdoctoral chemist in Weapons Component Technology (NMT-5), Susan Oldham spent two years doing basic research in the fundamental chemistry of actinide elements.

Her research into organometallic complexes of uranium, neptunium, and plutonium will increase the understanding of these elements and how their chemical behavior compares to other, more extensively studied, elements in the periodic table.

"Making these new complexes may spark interest in other scientists to take the research to another level, which could result in new uses for these complexes or new ideas for making other new complexes," said Oldham.

One of the projects she was involved with was investigating actinide amido complexes to explore the electrophilic chemistry of the actinide elements. These types of complexes are interesting to researchers partly because of their rich reaction chemistry, including potential activation of molecular nitrogen.

The work, in collaboration with researchers in Nuclear Materials Technology (NMT) and Chemistry (C) divisions, shows promising results and has extended the library of actinide complexes. (For more on the research, see "The Actinide Research Quarterly," 4th Quarter, 2000.)

Oldham also has participated in a project to synthesize extremely novel uranyl carbene complexes. These complexes represent the first examples of actinyl-to-carbon bonds and suggest an unexpectedly rich diversity in actinide structure and bonding.

This project was also in collaboration with researchers from NMT and C divisions.

Susan Oldham works inside a glove box while her mentor, Ann Schake, looks on. A former postdoc herself, Schake believes that good mentoring is a way for Los Alamos to attract and keep the best talent, whether postdoc or staff member.

Oldham's mentor was Ann Schake of NMT-5, an inorganic chemist who started her career at the Laboratory 11 years ago as a postdoc. Schake believes that good mentoring is a way for Los Alamos to attract and keep the best and the brightest, whether postdoc or staff member.

"I try to be hands-off and leave the postdoc free to do research," said Schake, "but I would never turn anyone loose in PF-4. I'm much more hands-on in that area. Conduct of operations is very important in an organization like ours."

Oldham appreciated Schake's method of mentoring. "She didn't try to control my research, but she was always there to answer questions, help me understand Lab bureaucracy, and discuss ideas," said Oldham. "She gave me ideas and suggestions and let me explore on my own."

Oldham graduated from Bowdoin College, a small liberal arts college in Maine, in 1994 with a major in chemistry and a minor in math. She received a master's in chemistry from the University of Washington in 1996 and a doctorate in inorganic chemistry in 1999 from the University of Rochester.

She lives in White Rock with her husband, Warren, also a chemist and former postdoc, and now a staff member in Pit Disassembly and Nuclear Fuels Technologies (NMT15). (Warren is pictured at right with other participants at the ATOMICS student poster session.)

With her postdoctoral appointment over, Oldham has accepted a staff member position with NMT-5's plutonium casting team. Her priority and focus has shifted to providing technical support and guidance to the casting team. She will be involved in the casting of plutonium into shapes, and ensuring that the products meet specifications and the instruments used are correctly calibrated.

But Schake's mentoring will not stop because Oldham is no longer a postdoc. The two share an office in TA-55, where Schake will be on hand to guide Oldham as she learns the ropes of working in PF-4.

"One of the things I've liked most about working here is that there are so many different people doing so many different things. It's nice to be able to have all of those resources together," said Oldham. "There are lots of people studying actinide chemistry, but for different reasons-stewardship, separation technology, weapons production."

A highlight of her postdoctoral appointment was the opportunity to attend technical symposia, especially those given by Nobel laureates. "It's a great experience for young scientists, and older scientists, too," said Oldham.

"Being a postdoc in NMT was an interesting balance of basic research and working toward NMT's mission and goal," said Oldham

First Annual ATOMICS Student Poster Session

photo by Michelle Stump

Students working in the Nuclear Materials Technology (NMT) Division had the opportunity to meet with division staff and discuss their summer research at the first annual ATOMICS Safety Process Office student poster session held in July at TA-55.

Students presented posters on a variety of subjects, including chemical engineering applications, actinide chemistry, computer programming, and safety in a nuclear facility.

In the top row, from left to right, are: Mandy Cortez, Pit Disassembly and Nuclear Fuels Technologies (NMT-15); Julie Fife, Isotope and Nuclear Chemistry (C-INC); Crestina Vigil, NMT ATOMICS; and Warren Oldham, NMT-15. In the front row, from left to right, are: Stephanie Lopez, Weapons Component Technology (NMT-5); Dustin English, Actinide Chemistry Research and Development (NMT-11); Lecroy Raynes, NMT-11; and Willie Montoya, NMT-15.

The mission of ATOMICS (Allowing Timely Observations Measures Increased Commitment to Safety) is to continuously improve the health and safety of the NMT Division workforce by reducing at-risk behaviors through ongoing behavioral observations.

Organizers are already planning next year's poster session, and want to enlarge the event and encourage a more complete representation of students throughout the division.

Stories by Meredith S. CoonleyPhotos by Mick Greenbank (NMT-16).


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