Staff Accomplishments
Join NREL in celebrating its employees' successes conducting and supporting world-class scientific research.
Most Recent News
June 2023
Collegiate Competitions Supercharge the Future Clean Energy Workforce
College students showcased their work in water power and wind energy at the final events for three DOE collegiate competitions: the inaugural Hydropower Collegiate Competition, fourth annual Marine Energy Collegiate Competition, and 10th annual Collegiate Wind Competition.
NREL Power Electronics Researcher Wins ASME Avram Bar-Cohen Memorial Medal
Sreekant Narumanchi, who leads NREL's advanced power electronics and electric machines research, has been awarded the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Avram Bar-Cohen Memorial Medal.
May 2023
Q&A With Andriy Zakutayev: Materials Architect Builds New Energy-Efficient Devices One Atom at a Time
As a materials scientist at NREL, Andriy Zakutayev manufactures materials to find new ways to control electrons, helping them carry electricity inside computers, solar panels, and smartphones.
Piloting Future Fuels: Calvin Mukarakate Sees a Problem, Solves a Problem
As a group manager in NREL's Bioenergy Science and Technology Directorate, Calvin Mukarakate, with a world-class team of biofuel engineers and scientists, is applying his mind to realize an important dream: commercializing processes for making billions of gallons of low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel.
The Winds of Change Keep Blowing
A panel of NREL wind experts joined an April 6 panel at NREL's Flatirons Campus, expanding on the tales included in NREL's "Clean Energy Innovators" book by Ernie Tucker.
April 2023
What Kandt She Do? NREL Researcher Alicen Kandt Leads the Charge on Renewing Our National Parks
NREL's Alicen Kandt describes how federal agencies like the National Park Service can work with NREL and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to turn clean energy goals into practical applications.
Q&A With Danish Saleem: A 'Bottomless Cyber Enthusiast' Works To Secure U.S. Power Grid Against Hackers
Like a blizzard, a hacker could cut off power to millions of Americans—but not if Danish Saleem can help it. In our latest Q&A profile, Saleem explains how he is working to build security into distributed clean energy technologies to protect the country's power grid from the rising threat of cyberattacks.
March 2023
Michael Martin Receives American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fellow Designation
Michael Martin, staff scientist in NREL's Computational Science Center, was recently named an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) fellow. This recognition is for his contributions to science, public policy, and education as a member of the ASME.
Beneath the Surface: From Holes to Coal to Tides: Patrick O'Byrne's Journey to Clean Energy
Patrick O'Byrne is helping NREL hone tidal energy technologies—by working through complex underwater engineering challenges as a water power intern.
February 2023
Climate Solutions Fuel NREL's Hari Sitaraman
Carrying on his father's influence, Hari Sitaraman collaborates with fellow computational scientists to model sustainable energy solutions for the creation of biofuels.
Clean Energy Innovators Book Shares the Human Side of NREL Research
NREL recently published "Clean Energy Innovators: NREL People Working to Change the World," a 202-page softbound book written by NREL's Ernie Tucker.
National Academy of Engineering Bestows Honor on Deputy Laboratory Director Peter Green
NREL's deputy laboratory director for Science and Technology and chief research officer, Green is among 124 new members elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).
Q&A With Mou Paul: Artist Making Better Fuel Cells, Water Treatment Systems, and Cheese
As part of the Manufacturing Masterminds Q&A profile series, NREL senior staff scientist Mou Paul shares how she wanted to be a "great writer and a great scientist, too." Today, Paul has published fictional short stories as well as more than 40 scientific publications, won several high-profile awards, and earned more than 50 patents.
Matthew Beard and Garry Rumbles Elected Fellows of AAAS
This week, NREL researchers Garry Rumbles and Matthew Beard were announced as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Leader in Geospatial Data Science Named Most Promising Scientist
From geospatial modeler to role model, Anthony Lopez shines in the STEM community.
January 2023
Paul Denholm Distinguished as IEEE Fellow for Extraordinary Work in Renewable Energy
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has selected Paul Denholm from NREL to be a 2023 fellow based on his contributions to energy storage and renewable energy systems.
Department of Energy Honors 12 From NREL
Staffers from NREL were honored for their work in helping move the country further away from the use of fossil fuels. The Secretary of Energy Achievement Award ranks as the highest form of recognition for federal and contractor employees within the department (DOE).
NREL Team Wins 2023 Cooperative Research Award in Polymer Science and Engineering
NREL Materials Scientists Mou Paul and Abhishek Roy won the 2023 Polymer Science and Engineering (PMSE) Cooperative Research Award for their work in global water sustainability.
December 2022
NREL Biofuel Scientist Honored by Colorado Governor for Lifetime of Achievements
Over his 40-plus-year career, Michael E. Himmel has unraveled the complexities of using enzymes to deconstruct lignocellulosic biomass for climate-friendly fuels.
Two NREL Scientists Recognized for Their Contributions to Coating Science and Technology
Scott Mauger and Michael Ulsh received awards at this year's International Society of Coating Science and Technology (ISCST) Symposium.
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Last Updated May 1, 2025