PNNL

The title of Laboratory Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is one of the institution’s highest honors for scientific and engineering staff. It recognizes individuals with sustained excellence, innovation, and leadership, along with a strong commitment to service that enriches PNNL’s culture and strengthens its national and international visibility. 

Appointed by the laboratory director following external peer review, Fellows are distinguished not only by their scientific achievements but also by their role as strategic advisors, shaping PNNL’s long-term direction, advancing work on complex challenges, and strengthening PNNL’s national and international impact. 

This year, two researchers have been named Laboratory Fellows: Carolyn Pearce and Marcelo Elizondo.

A leader in radioactive waste research and cross‑disciplinary innovation

Since rejoining PNNL in 2016, Pearce has advanced geochemistry and radioactive waste research, focusing on mineral behavior in waste forms and subsurface environments to improve long-term environmental safety. Her leadership has broadened that impact across the Laboratory.

“I’m committed to working across directorates to execute programs and have strived to embed integration into how we mentor the next generation of scientific leaders,” said Pearce.

Pearce describes the Ion Dynamics in Radioactive Environments and Materials Energy Frontier Research Center’s second renewal and collaboration with eight partner institutions as “My greatest accomplishment while at PNNL.”

Pearce’s influence extends beyond PNNL. Through appointments at Washington State University and the University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute, she contributes to international advances in environmental and nuclear science.

For Pearce, the Laboratory Fellow appointment is both a personal honor and a responsibility.

“This is one of my proudest moments,” she said. “I will treasure this honor forever. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who made this opportunity possible. I’ll work hard to meet expectations and help the Lab succeed.”

Advancing grid reliability and the future of power systems

Marcelo Elizondo has spent 17 years at PNNL. He says his work on bulk electric system modeling, resilience analysis, and cross-border power system operations has been very inspiring for him, both in developing cutting-edge modeling techniques and in seeing their solutions have a direct, practical impact on improving people’s electricity service. 

The connection between technical innovation and real-world impact has been a powerful source of motivation.

“Working on complex power system challenges that are bigger than individual interests and directly contribute to a greater mission has been a powerful motivator for me and the technical teams I worked with over the years,” he said. 

Elizondo’s research is helping chart the grid’s path toward a reliable and secure energy future.

He credits his colleagues for helping him grow as an engineer, teammate, and technical leader.

“I have not advanced my technical expertise in a vacuum, but I have done so working together with talented colleagues,” he said.

Elizondo sees the honor as recognition of the many people who have shared his professional journey.

“I am deeply grateful to be a Laboratory Fellow,” he expressed. “I’ve been lucky to work with my mentors, teammates, and collaborators over the years, and I look forward to continuing that journey, learning from them and helping our technical teams grow.”