Manager
Manager

Biography

Gert Patello is Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Environmental and Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) and group leader for the EMSL Management and Operations group. Dr. Patello received her PhD in Ceramics from Alfred University under the direction of Associate Professor Gary Fischman.   

Since joining the PNNL in 1993, Dr. Patello has worked as a research scientist, project manager, line manager, sector manager, project management office director, and presently as EMSL’s COO. Prior to this role, Dr. Patello managed PNNL’s Isotope Program as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science Isotope program providing leadership and strategic direction in alignment with the DOE Isotope program’s mission. Dr. Patello has led or participated in strategic planning efforts related to PNNL’s Radiochemical Processing Laboratory, the Reinventing Chemical Catalysis Laboratory Objective, and the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory. She is a current member of the Fusion Energy Science Advisory Committee, which provides independent advice to the Director of the Office of Science on complex scientific and technological issues that arise in the fusion energy sciences program.  

Research Interest

  • Radioisotope Production
  • Fusion energy

Education

  • PhD in Ceramics, Alfred University.  
  • BS in Ceramic Engineering, Alfred University 
  • Certified Project Management Professional 

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Fusion Energy Science Advisory Committee, DOE
  • Project Management Institute

Awards and Recognitions

  • 20 PNNL Outstanding Performance Awards, PNNL (1999 – 2020) 
  • PS&E Award for Strategic Business Development for Nuclear Fuel Cell Project with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (2004) 
  • Nominee, Woman of Achievement, PNNL (2000, 2001) 

Publications

2018

  • Rishel J.P., J.M. Barnett, A.V. Mozhayev, E.B. Dutcher, S.A. Colby, G.L. Carter, and G.K. Patello, et al. 2018. "EVALUATION OF AN UPWARD TREND IN BACKGROUND COUNT RATES FROM A STACK PARTICULATE CONTINUOUS AIR MONITOR." Health Physics 115, no. 4:531-538. PNNL-SA-131367. doi:10.1097/HP.0000000000000901

2007

  • Peterson R.B., B. Paul, T. Palmer, Q. Wu, W. Jost, C.T. Tseng, and S. Tiwari, et al. 2007. "Microscale Power Generation based on Radiolytic Processes." In The Sixth International Workshop on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2006), November 29-December 1, 2006, Berkeley, California, 235-238. Bristol:IOPScience. PNWD-SA-7665.
  • Peterson R.B., B. Paul, T. Palmer, Q. Wu, W. Jost, C.T. Tseng, and S. Tiwari, et al. 2007. "Radiolytic microscale power generation based on single chamber fuel cell operation." Journal of Micromechanics and microengineering: structures, devices & systems 17. PNWD-SA-8045. doi:10.1088/0960-1317/17/9/S07

2002

  • Palmer R.A., H.D. Smith, G.L. Smith, M.R. Smith, R.L. Russell, and G.K. Patello. 2002. "Chemical and Physical Characterization of the First West Valley Demonstration Project High-Level Waste Feed Batch." In Environmental Issues & Waste Management Technologies in the Ceramic & Nuclear Industries VII: Proceedings - Science & Technology in Addressing Environmental Issues in the Ceramic Industry and the Ceramic Science & Technology for the Nuclear Industry Symposiums; 103rd Annual Meeting, American Ceramic Society, April 22-25, 2001, Indianapolis, IN.: Ceramic Transactions, edited by DR Spearing, GL Smith and SK Sundaram, 132. Westerville, Ohio:The American Ceramic Society. PNNL-SA-35400. doi:10.1002/9781118371435.ch33

2001

  • Patello G.K., L.R. O'Neil, and J.L. Bryant. 2001. "Establishing a Lactation Support Program at Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory." Chemical Health & Safety 8, no. 3:9-11. PNWD-SA-5186.

1999

  • Li H., D.E. Smith, P.R. Hrma, G.K. Patello, G.L. Smith, and M.L. Elliott. 1999. "Compositional Effects on Crystallinity and Durability of High-Level Radioactive Waste Glasses." In Environmental issues and waste management technologies in the ceramic and nuclear industries IV, Ceramic transactions, edited by James C. Marra, Gregory T. Chandler, 93, 241 - 249. Westerville, Ohio:American Ceramic Society. PNNL-SA-30119.
  • Patello G.K., M.J. Truex, and K.D. Wiemers. 1999. Low-Activity Waste and High-Level Waste Feed Processing Data Quality Objectives. PNNL-12163. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Low-Activity Waste and High-Level Waste Feed Processing Data Quality Objectives

1998