PNNL

Elke Arenholz, director of the Physical Sciences Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was recognized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as a Fellow for her breakthrough contributions to x-ray magnetic spectroscopy.

Recognizing the achievements of its members is an important part of IEEE’s mission. Each year, following a rigorous evaluation procedure, the IEEE Fellow Committee recommends a select group of recipients for elevation to IEEE Fellow. Less than 0.1 percent of voting members are selected for this member grade elevation annually.

IEEE Fellows receive the designation for their “extraordinary accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest.” Fields of interest include physical sciences, engineering, computer science and information technology, biological and medical sciences, mathematics, technical communications, law and policy, education, and management. Arenholz’s contributions to the study of magnetic materials using x-rays have made her an international leader in the field.

Arenholz has spent her career working on magnetism and magnetic materials, understanding quantum phenomena, and designing and characterizing novel materials tailored for specific applications. She has also pioneered the development of research instrumentation and techniques to allow scientists to study magnetically or electronically ordered materials with synchrotron radiation.