PNNL

Deborah (Deb) Gracio is the Director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). She leads PNNL in unifying fundamental research for national impact while advancing innovations to address the world’s most pressing challenges in science, energy, and national security. Gracio provides the vision, strategic direction, and oversight for PNNL’s $1.6 billion R&D budget and 6,400 staff.       

With more than 35 years at PNNL, Gracio began her career as a researcher supporting DOE Office of Science programs, helping launch two DOE Office of Science national user facilities and advancing computational capabilities for scientific discovery. She pioneered instrumentation, computational models, software, and data-intensive methodologies that advanced the use of data sciences across multiple scientific and national security domains.  

She went on to hold multiple leadership roles in PNNL’s National Security Directorate, including associate laboratory director, where she led a broad suite of national security programs and partnerships serving the National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Intelligence Community.

An internationally recognized leader, Gracio is a fellow of the Washington State Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and an active board member for numerous academic, business, and community organizations. DOE has honored her with a Certificate of Accomplishment for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program and an Outstanding Woman in Engineering award.  

Gracio received her MS and BS degrees in electrical engineering from Washington State University.