PNNL

Steven Spurgeon

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Spurgeon, who will receive a 2016 Postdoc Meeting Award from the Microscopy Society of America and the Microanalysis Society at their annual meeting in July. His winning paper, "Multidimensional Analysis of Nanoscale Phase Separation in Complex Materials Systems," will be published in the meeting proceedings. Spurgeon is a postdoctoral research associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

His paper, coauthored by colleagues at PNNL, North Carolina State University, Sandia National Laboratories, and Gatan Inc., describes a multidimensional approach to predict and understand the relationship between structure and magnetic properties in a model complex oxide. Such predictions help scientists characterize and understand complex materials systems. The ultimate goal is to deterministically engineer synthetic versions of these systems.

Steven Spurgeon (left) receives the 2016 Postdoc Meeting Award from the M&M Society. Enlarge image.

The award includes registration for the full Microscopy & Microanalysis (M&M) 2016 meeting and up to $1000 to defray expenses. Spurgeon will receive his award at the Plenary Session and will attend the Presidents' Reception, hosted by both societies' presidents. According to the selection committee, they reviewed proceedings papers from more than 300 applicants, from which only a small number were selected for M&M Meeting Awards.

Spurgeon received his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Drexel University. His mentor at PNNL is Laboratory Fellow Dr. Scott Chambers, who leads a research team focused on the properties of "designer" oxides—materials that combine different atoms into solid materials.