Allison Campbell is the Associate Laboratory Director for Earth and Biological Sciences at PNNL. In this role, she sets the vision and strategy for PNNL's research in support of DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) and National Institutes of Health. Allison leads a research directorate of more than 530 staff members.
Prior to this role, she served for more than 10 years as Director of EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE Office of Science User Facility sponsored by BER and located at PNNL. She led significant scientific progress that was demonstrated through publications of users and EMSL's experts and evidenced by more than 3,555 peer-reviewed journals with an h-index of 41. Allison also managed the rapid deployment of more than 30 new instruments funded with $60 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; directed development of RadEMSL, a specialized facility designed to accelerate actinide chemistry studies; and she oversaw construction of a Quiet Wing that houses a unique suite of high-resolution, advanced microscopes in EMSL. Under her leadership, innovative solutions and enhanced understanding of problems related to atmospheric aerosols, feedstocks, global carbon cycling, biogeochemistry, subsurface science, and energy materials emerged from EMSL.
As a researcher herself, Allison is nationally recognized for individual contributions in materials development through her research in biomaterials. She is credited with co-inventing a bio-inspired process to "grow" a bioactive calcium phosphate layer, from the molecular level, onto the surfaces of artificial joint implants for hips and knees; these implants now have extended lives and are less likely to be rejected by the body. Allison also is recognized for her work in understanding the role of proteins in biomineralization. She's spoken at national and international meetings and holds six U.S. patents. Additionally, she is an avid promoter of science education, sharing enthusiasm for her field with students through a number of hands-on education programs.
Allison was elected the 2016 American Chemical Society president-elect by members of ACS – the world's largest scientific society. She will serve as president of the society in 2017 and immediate past-president in 2018; she will also serve on the board of directors during that time.
In 2013, the American Association for the Advancement of Science elected Allison a Fellow for her work in the "synthesis of thin films for ceramics and biomaterial development." She also has testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology regarding the value of research at DOE labs.
She previously served as EMSL's Associate Director for Scientific Experimental Resources, as an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington, and a technical group leader of PNNL's materials synthesis and modification team.
Allison earned her PhD in physical chemistry from State University of New York at Buffalo and a BS in chemistry from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.