Officers' Bios

President -- Giselle Sandi-Tapia

I graduated with a PhD in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, in August 1994. I joined Argonne on September 19, 1994, as a postdoctoral fellow. In March 1996, I was promoted to Assistant Chemist and on March 2001, to Chemist.

My research area was in energy storage (batteries, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage). I performed fundamental research aimed at understanding how the different components work and how we can improve their performance. To do that, I collaborated with CMT, ES, MSD, APS, and IPNS. My latest efforts were directed to establishing a solid research program in the area of hydrogen storage at Argonne and I had the privilege and opportunity to be very active on that.

On January 21, 2007, I joined the Division of Educational Programs as Argonne’s Postdoctoral Program Coordinator, a Lab-wide program. Even though this new endeavor separated me from hands-on-research, I deeply enjoy interacting and mentoring postdoctoral fellows and, due to the nature of the program, I still read and review many scientific proposals.

I was born in Cost Rica, a beautiful country in Central America. I go back there at least once a year and keep in contact with many friends, relatives, and university professors. My husband was born in Peru, South America. We have three sons for whom I give my life. We are teaching them how important it is to keep close relationships with family and friends, and to respect everybody, regardless of their background heritage.

Vice-President -- Michael Kaminski

I was born in the Chicagoland area and went to the University of Illinois in Urbana where I graduated with my PhD in nuclear engineering in 1998. Immediately upon completion of my dissertation, I came to Argonne as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the former Chemical Technology Division. In 2002, I was promoted to Assistant Materials Engineer and in 2003 I was promoted to Materials Engineer. From 2003 to 2006 I was Leader of the Nanoscale Engineering Group, which has now been combined into a larger group in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division. I have approximately 40 publications, more than 50 presentations, 20 inventions, 2 patents, and 3 patent applications.

My research interest has involved developing magnetic particles for radionuclide and heavy metals separations in the field of waste management. I have also been developing magnetic particles for drug delivery applications in medicine with the University of Chicago, where I hold a research associate position. In addition, I have developed radioactive decontamination technologies for several applications and a radionuclide sensor for rapid analysis of radioactive debris. I also maintain a research position with the nuclear energy programs and currently, I am developing host materials for radioactive cesium and strontium wastes produced in the advanced fuel cycles.

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my wife Julie, my sons Mikey and Nate, the rest of my family, and friends.
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Treasurer – Mary Cervantes

I am currently an Industrial Property Management Specialist for the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE). I joined in October 1994. In this capacity, I manage all property held by DOE contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements under the cognizance of DOE's Chicago Operations Office (CH); reconcile finance reports of property transfer, excess, or retired; and serve as a liaison between DOE Site Offices and Headquarters. In addition, I am the CH Motor Vehicle Manager responsible for vehicle inventory, policy and procedures

Before coming to DOE, I worked for the General Services Administration (GSA) for 15 years as a Property Utilization Specialist and served as liaison between GSA and other Federal agencies. As an additional duty at DOE, and the desire to serve my Hispanic community, I was the alternate CH Hispanic Employment Program Manager (HEPM) from 1998-1999 and represented DOE at the annual U.S. Hispanic Leadership Conference in Chicago. As a volunteer, I continue to participate with the Tax Assistance Program Services (TAPS) as a tax preparer. This program helps seniors, and low-income families that cannot pay to get their income taxes completed. I also continue to support groups as the Hispanic Leadership Organization and the Hispanic Heritage Organization. In addition, I am an Alumni Committee Member for the Spanish Coalition for Jobs (SCJ) located in Pilsen, IL.

I was born and raised in Chicago, IL, in the Pilsen area and lived there until 1991. I currently live in Riverside, IL, with my two daughters, Maria, age 24 and Michaline, age 17.
Photo Coming Soon Secretary – Sara Homerding

I started in Argonne's Office of Technology Transfer in June 2004 as a high-school student aide. Since then I have transferred to the TSP Program within HR. I have worked in Accounts Payable/Payroll, and am currently assigned in the Argonne Information Center. I also work part-time at Jewel in the Bakery Department. I am attending school part-time at Moraine Valley (hoping to transfer to St. Xavier), focusing on Business, but that can always change. In my spare time, I love going to concerts and listening to music. Some call me crazy with the amount of concerts I go to, but I tend to disagree!
Advisor -- Rex Gerald

I am from El Paso. My Texan father was an archeologist and my mother, a ballerina, stayed at home with me and my brother and two sisters. I crossed the border every day to attend Colegio Casa Montessori in Juarez from kindergarten through 6th grade. All subjects were taught in Spanish, except for a one-hour English class that begin in 5th grade. I came to Illinois in 1980 for undergraduate studies in chemisty at the University of Chicago. I arrived at Argonne for the first time in 1981 as a research student in the High Energy Physics Division for several summer appointments. I also met Theresa, my wife to be, in my first year in Chicago. We have two wonderful children, Amanda and Luke. We live in Brookfield by the Zoo. Following undergradate studies, I continued for one year as a graduate student at Chicago and Argonne supported by an NSF minority fellowship. I then ventured into industry R&D for two years, and studied electronics before returning to school. In 1994 I received a conjoint Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Chicago and the Max-Plank Institute in Heidelberg. Following several years of postdoctoral studies in Argonne's Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Divisions, I am now a staff Chemical Physicist in the Physical Organometallic Chemistry Group. My passion is inventing and working with research students from around the world.

Advisor - Frank Gines

I have over 24 years of Federal experience in the Dept. of Defense (DOD) and the Dept. of Energy (DOE) managing facilities and infrastructure. After graduating from the University of Puerto Rico as an Electrical Engineer, I entered the U.S. Air Force and began an engineering career first as a Construction Manager and later as a Design Engineer. Upon my return from oversees, I became a Computer Software/Information Systems Analyst responsible for the installation of an Engineering Work Management System at six military bases. After nine years of active duty, I transferred over to the Reserves and continue serving; and I also began working for DOE. For DOE here at Argonne, I continued managing facility and infrastructure; serving first as Maintenance Manager and later as Program/Project Manager for the facility and energy programs and the pollution prevention program. Currently, I am the Federal Project Director for Argonne's Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) Project and the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) Project.

Advisor - Argentina Leyva

I am a graduate from the Insituto Tecnologico de Durango in Chemical Engineering in 1992. After graduating, I was granted a full scholarship by the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech from which I received a Masters Degree in Pulp and Paper Science in 1996. After graduating, I went to work for Beloit Corporation at their R&D facility in Rockton, Illinois, as the supervisor for one of the paper making pilot machines. A year later, I was sent to Indonesia for the next two years to work in the start-up of two commercial paper machines. After coming back from Indonesia, I moved to Chicago and started working for Argonne in the Chemical Engineering Division where I currently work as an Engineering Specialist for the Process and Engineering group. My current work involves research in the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) program, developing aqueous separations of spent nuclear fuel.

 
  Advisor - Vanessa Mendez

I have been employed at the Laboratory for 25 years. I worked in ANL’s Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for 15 years and then 2 years in Chemical Technology’s Budget Office. Right now I am a Staff Assistant working in ANL’s Sponsored Research Office in the Office of Technology Transfer, and have been here for almost 9 years.

My job consists of reviewing Federal funding contracts from numerous Sponsors like NASA, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Dept. of Homeland Security, and the EPA. I work closely with the DOE Argonne Site Office to ensure ANL Principal Investigators can get their funding approved and in place to begin their important research. I also review and coordinate funding from Other DOE Contractors via Inter-Entity Work Orders and Memorandum Purchase Orders. Finally, I review research proposals which go to ANL Sponsors on the Private and the Federal sides for potential future funding for the Laboratory.

I was born and raised in Joliet, IL. I am married to my hard-working husband Joe, and have two boys, Adam (11 yrs. old) and Alex (9 yrs. old). My father was born in Ixtlan, Michoacan, and my mother in Ransom, IL. My mother’s parents were also from Ixtlan, Michoacan until they came to the United States to start their family. I love the warm and friendly culture of Mexico, and hope to retire there someday!

I graduated in May 2005 with an Associates Degree in Marketing Management from Joliet Junior College.

Advisor -- Luis Nuñez

In 1985, he was awarded a laboratory graduate fellowship in Argonne National Laboratory's Material Science Division where he completed his M.S. research.  His M.S. research involved the study of metallic and super conducting properties of organic and inorganic materials.  His Ph.D dissertation was part of a joint collaboration between the Material Science Division and Northern Illinois University (NIU). After completing the requirements of his Ph.D., Dr. Nuñez was nominated and awarded an adjunt assistant professorship at NIU where he participates in research and teaching programs of the Chemistry Department. In October 1991 prior to completion of his first year as a postdoctoral appointee, Dr. Nuñez accepted a staff position in the Separation Science and Technology section of the Chemical Technology Division at Argonne National Laboratory. Dr. Nuñez developed physical and chemical separation processes for applications in nuclear and environmental remediation and stabilization activities since 1991. Many of these developmental programs involved some form of magnetic process. From September 1995 to January 2002, Dr. Nuñez held the position of Nanoscale Engineering Section Head. During this period Dr. Nuñez lead a group of scientists and engineers developing applications for nanoscale materials. Dr. Nuñez assisted the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the development of a new nuclear reactor R&D program entitled-Generation IV (Gen IV) Roadmap while on assignment as a Staff Scientist from September 2001 to September 2002. In January 2003, Dr. Nuñez was promoted to the position of Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for Physical, Biological, and Computing Sciences. Dr. Nuñez provides line management, leadership, and cognizance Basic Energy Research & Development programs in Argonne's PBCS directorate organization. The major programmatic thrusts in PBCS include areas such as Nanotechnology, Basic & Applied Chemistry, Material Sciences, Physics, High Energy Physics, Intense Pulse Neutron Source, Mathematics and Computing Sciences, Biosciences, Rare Isotope Accelerator Initiative, and Educational Programs. Dr. Nuñez is an active member of the American Chemical Society, American Physical Socieity, and Sixma Xi-Argonne Chapter.

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