PNNL

Sherman Beus, a software engineer, Katie Dorsey, communications team writer and editor, and Brian Ermold, data ingest manager, were among five individuals and two teams to receive 2021 Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility Service Awards.

In their third consecutive year, these awards honor significant impact and service to ARM and the scientific user community.

Sherman Beus was recognized as part of the ARM Data Services team, a cross-laboratory partnership that exemplified the highest level of professionalism, engagement, and cooperation. The team’s effective interinstitutional collaboration created a new workflow that significantly improved the operational efficiency of ARM field campaign management. Other team members include Brad Perkins from Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Mitchell Broughton, Maggie Davis, Kyle Dumas, and Harold Shanafield from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Beus joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 2006 and has primarily supported ARM during that time, including developing a variety of web applications for visualizing time-ordered data availability and managing data product and process configuration design. He holds a Master of Information Systems Management degree from Brigham Young University.

Katie Dorsey was recognized for her notable improvement and streamlining of data announcements written for ARM users. Her impeccable attention to detail, eye for improvement, and perseverance has elevated announcements to an unprecedented level of quality. She was described by her colleagues as an “excellent journalist.”

Dorsey has provided communications support for ARM since 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from Washington State University.

Brian Ermold was recognized for his innovative solutions to complex problems that draw on a deep reservoir of technical expertise and understanding of ARM data processes. He was described by colleagues as being “positive” and “willing to go above and beyond to make sure things are done right.” His collaborative approach has produced invaluable insights into data collections that benefit important ARM functions.

Ermold joined PNNL in 1998 and has since become one of ARM’s lead software developers. He specializes in designing efficient, robust, and easily configurable data systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Montana.

Beus, Dorsey, and Ermold were named award recipients during the virtual Joint ARM User Facility/Atmospheric System Research Principal Investigators Meeting on June 21, 2021, by ARM Technical Director Jim Mather.

“When I reflect on this year’s awardees, a consistent theme I see is the combination of individuals contributing at a high level in their area of expertise while also helping others to be successful in their work,” said Mather. “ARM is highly collaborative, and we all depend on each other, so it is wonderful to see this support across disciplines and institutions.”

Founded in 1989, ARM is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility managed and operated by nine DOE national laboratories. Its fixed-location, mobile, and aerial facilities collect atmospheric data worldwide. ARM has been collecting data for nearly 30 years, leading to significant improvements in the performance of global climate models.