ORNL names new Deputy Director for Science and Technology

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has named a new Deputy Director for Science and Technology.

Michelle Buchanan will fill the role that once belonged to new laboratory director Thomas Zacharia.

“Dr. Buchanan’s research accomplishments, programmatic expertise, and reputation for achievement support ORNL's role as a premier research institution that provides scientific expertise and breakthroughs that are critical to national priorities in energy, industry, and national security,” Zacharia said.

Buchanan's appointment goes into effect October 1.

As the new deputy director, Buchanan’s responsibilities will cover the range of ORNL research—computing and computational sciences, neutron science, nuclear science and engineering, the physical sciences, energy and environmental science, and national security—as well as the lab’s leadership role in U.S. ITER, the Exascale Computing Project, and ORNL research centers and institutes.

“The scientific challenges and impact of Oak Ridge’s research has compelled me for many years,” said Buchanan, who came to the lab as a chemist in 1978. “It is a great privilege to be entrusted with shaping our future as a laboratory. My focus will be on strengthening collaborations across our diverse disciplines and promoting scientific achievement among ORNL staff, as well as the world-leading scientists who use ORNL facilities and benefit from our expertise.”

Buchanan has served as the associate laboratory director for physical sciences since 2004, where she is responsible for the lab’s Chemical Sciences, Physics, and Materials Science and Technology divisions. She also oversees the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, an Office of Science user facility.

ORNL said it plans to conduct an international search to fill her role when she takes her new position.

The laboratory said Buchanan is an accomplished scientific leader and researcher who has worked for the Department of Energy at a national level to help shape DOE and National Science Foundation research directions.

"Her stature in the research community has made her an effective advocate for increased opportunities for women, girls, and other underrepresented groups in STEM-based careers," said ORNL spokesman Bill Cabage.

Buchanan currently serves on advisory boards for the University of Tennessee and several other organizations. She is also a fellow of the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and has written or contributed to more than 100 scientific publications.

Buchanan holds two patents, and has edited a book on Fourier transform mass spectrometry. She has reportedly also held multiple positions in the American Chemical Society and the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.