2009 Newsmakers
Advancing scientific frontiers. If your work is truly influential, you'll be viewed as an expert in the science world and beyond. One measure of impact is when others seek out your insights.
Our Newsmakers page features experts from PNNL's Fundamental & Computational Sciences Directorate who've been recently quoted, asked to speak to influential organizations, or taken on national or international appointments. | Newsmakers Archive
Tony Janetos on the new biology
On YouTube, a National Research Council video features PNNL's Dr. Tony Janetos as one of four experts explaining the significance of a "new biology."
Research Highlight: Not Your Father's Biology
Jim Dooley on energy investments
MIT's Technology Review featured data from Jim Dooley on long-term trends in U.S. venture capital support for energy technologies. The article, "Venture Capitalists Struggle with Renewables," appeared in the September/October 2009 edition.
Chuck Peden, Janos Szanyi, and Ja Hun Kwak on catalysis
Scientists Ja Hun Kwak, Chuck Peden, and Janos Szanyi were mentioned in a Chemical & Engineering News story about Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's research published in Science showing that a common catalyst forms platinum rafts.
Hugh Pitcher on carbon emissions
Dr. Hugh Pitcher
USA Today, in its September 22, 2009 issue, quoted PNNL scientist Dr. Hugh Pitcher in the story about the UN Climate Summit, "Deal on climate change is elusive". Pitcher discussed the need to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to keep the earth's temperature from rising more than 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The story also included a graphic from the Joint Global Change Research Institute on potential carbon dioxide emission levels through 2060.
James Cowin on the iSniff and Childhood Disease in
Scientific American
Dr. James Cowin is quoted in the Scientific American on a personal air monitor used to gather data for a long-term study on black carbon soot and childhood asthma.
Jim Amonette on biochar in The Economist
The Economist interviewed PNNL scientist Dr. Jim Amonette on using biochar to remove the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester it.
Yun Qian on how air pollution is altering rainfall patterns in China
Numerous news outlets worldwide covered research led by PNNL's Dr. Yun Qian on how pollution is suppressing light rain in China. Decreased rainfall is contributing to economically devastating drought and agricultural production in parts of China. Stories appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Nature (including quotes from PNNL's Connor Flynn), New Tang Dynasty Television, China Daily and Peoples' Daily Online, and many other outlets.
Jim Dooley on capturing carbon emissions
The Washington Post worked with PNNL scientist Jim Dooley on a detailed graphic about carbon dioxide capture and storage for a story on August 11, 2009. Dooley was among those credited for the graphic in the hard copy of the article, "Coal's Future Wagered on Carbon Capture."
Jim Dooley on the economics of energy R&D
The July 27, 2009 cover story of Chemical & Engineering News quotes PNNL scientist Jim Dooley in the article, "Building a Sustainable Economy." Dooley spoke about trends in energy-related R&D funding over the years. The article also refers to a research report of Dooley's: "U.S. Federal Investments in Energy R&D: 1961-2008."
Tony Janetos testifies on climate impacts in vulnerable regions
Tony Janetos
On July 23, 2009, Dr. Tony Janetos gave Congressional testimony about how vulnerable regions can use adaptation strategies to cope with current and future climate changes - such as those that affect crops, energy, transportation, and health. He testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. For more information, see the PNNL news release and Hearing agenda.
Jim Amonette on Biochar
Dr. Jim Amonette will speak at the first major US biochar conference, which will be held in Boulder, Colo. in August.
Jae Edmonds on Technology to Avert Climate Change
Dr. Jae Edmonds was quoted in a June 17, 2009 New Republic story about whether we need a technological breakthrough to avert the climate crisis. Edmonds said both technology investment and policies to curb emissions are required.
More Information . . .
Lynne Roeder blogs about an aircraft field campaign
Lynne Roeder
The Discovery Channel asked PNNL's Lynne Roeder, Public Information Officer for the U.S. Department of Energy's ARM Climate Research Facility, to blog about a climate science field campaign in Oklahoma in June 2009.
Tony Janetos on climate effects
Tony Janetos
Numerous media sources, including The New York Times, AP, and the Washington Post covered a comprehensive new climate assessment that included PNNL's Dr. Tony Janetos as an author. "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States," a Congressionally mandated report of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, was released June 16, 2009. Janetos wrote the section on climate effects on U.S. ecosystems.
PNNL climate scientists on the soot-snow-climate connection
The New York Times ran a story on May 14, 2009 about how water shortages might create a 21st century Dust Bowl. The story referenced "groundbreaking" research from PNNL on how soot causes snowpack to melt early. More on the research.
Blaine Metting on carbon capture
Blaine Metting, Fundamental & Computational Sciences Directorate, was mentioned in the April issue of Earth magazine, p. 39, in the article, "Capturing Carbon from Coal Plants." "Using proven land management methods, scientists could engineer soils to store more carbon that they would under normal circumstances," according to Blaine Metting of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., and colleagues. Changing agricultural practices could also make a difference to how much carbon the soils could hold."
Dick Smith on managing a large lab
Dr. Richard Smith, Battelle Fellow and Director of Proteomics Research at PNNL, was interviewed for a feature "A Big Team for a Little Lab" in the March Genome Technology. The article describes how Smith runs his large, successful, renowned proteomics technology lab within DOE's Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory located at PNNL.
Jim Fredrickson, Alex Beliaev, Dick Smith in The Scientist
Laboratory Fellow Jim Fredrickson, microbiologist Alex Beliaev, and Battelle Fellow Dick Smith were quoted extensively in the March issue of The Scientist in the cover story "All Systems Go." The article covers the systems biology of microorganisms.
