Other Awards and Honors
2007 Awards
Doug McMakin wins Christopher Columbus Homeland Security Award
Doug McMakin, National Security Directorate, has been selected to receive the prestigious Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation Homeland Security award for his leadership in developing the millimeter wave holographic body scanning system. The security system detects concealed metallic and nonmetallic items and is being used globally for security in airports and other facilities.
Doug is being recognized in the Border/Transportation Security category. The scanning system currently is being used worldwide in homeland security and counterterrorism efforts. The technology provides security officers with a non-contact, non-ionizing radiation tool that can screen individuals for potentially lethal concealed threats. It has been licensed to L-3 SafeView, which is using the technology as the basis for a line of screening systems, including the SafeScout 100TM. More than 75 systems are deployed worldwide in locations including Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Europe, South America and Asia in high-risk areas such as airports, subways, border crossings, and government and military facilities.
"This award recognizes the role PNNL researchers play in helping solve the country's greatest homeland security challenges," said Interim Lab Director Mike Kluse. "Doug and his team persevered for many years developing a technology they personally believed in, and I'm pleased the foundation is recognizing these efforts."
The screening systems have been successfully demonstrated in the U.S. and are undergoing further testing by the Department of Homeland Security. In fact, the system will be tested at Phoenix in the near future, with additional machines to be tested at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
The foundation recognizes citizens or companies that are making a measurable and constructive contribution related to basic and/or advanced research in the area of homeland security which will result in a significant and positive benefit to society.
Jim Thomas, a PNNL chief scientist, was also one of the top three finalists for the award. He was recognized for his leadership of the Department of Homeland Security's National Visualization and Analytics Center. NVAC is a leading resource for visual analytics technology and tools that detect, prevent and reduce the threat of terrorist attacks. (announced 10/15/2007)