The Postdoctoral Society of Argonne recently elected new officers for the 2020 calendar year. The PSA Officers serve as the Executive Committee for the PSA Board and set the direction for PSA efforts. Last year’s PSA Board made significant progress towards developing new resources for international postdocs, making connections with Chicago-area postdoctoral associations and the University of Chicago, building community through the PSA Coffee Breaks, and organizing yet another successful Annual Postdoctoral Research and Career Symposium. The 2020 Officers are excited to build on these successes, while spearheading new initiatives. Please welcome the 2020 PSA Officers!
President Laura Boon (ASD) graduated from Purdue University with a Ph.D. in Accelerator Physics in 2014, completing her graduate work here at Argonne National Laboratory. Since graduating, she’s worked at SLAC National Accelerator Lab, and as an engineer at a startup in California, called Matterport. She returned to academia September 2018 when she started current postdoc position at the Advanced Photon Source. As President, Laura states, “I will update the Postdoc Blog. From event announcements, to follow-ups for our informational coffee breaks, I see the blog becoming a central location for postdoc information. I have also been on the committee writing a strategic plan for PSA, keep an eye out for more on this!”
Vice President Milos Atz (NSE) started at Argonne in September 2019 and joined the Postdoctoral Society of Argonne Board soon after. In his short time here, he has enjoyed opportunities to pursue social and professional development through the PSA. He would like to contribute to the excellent efforts of the PSA as Vice President. Milos is excited about developing new ways to engage postdocs in PSA and lab-wide events and activities and in fostering connections with other postdoctoral associations in the Chicago area. At Argonne, he is (re)developing software that calculates energy balances in nuclear reactors. Previously, he was a student at UC Berkeley where he obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in nuclear engineering. Outside of work, Milos says, “I love people, food, fun, the outdoors, and some sports.”
Liaison Officer Tony Montoya (CSE) has been a postdoctoral appointee at Argonne since February 2019. He completed his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Iowa. His research at Argonne in the field of electrochemical energy storage is part of an effort for recycling lithium ion batteries. His background as a solid state chemist directs the focus of his work to the analysis and regeneration of spent cathode materials. The recycling program is a joint effort between Argonne and other national labs and universities. As Liaison Officer, Tony will continue to bring postdocs together through planning networking opportunities on site, such as the PSA Coffee Breaks, and through organizing after work social events.
Secretary Cody Nunno (ES) is a postdoctoral appointee in the Multi-Physics Computation group, performing CFD simulations on combustion devices. Prior to coming to Argonne in July of 2019, he earned his Ph.D. Princeton University in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. While at Princeton, Cody spent 5 years as a member of the MAE Graduate Student Committee, including two years as the chair, addressing issues that affected graduate students in the department and serving as a liaison between the administration and the graduate student body. Cody was motivated to run for PSA Secretary because he “enjoys service and looks forward to the opportunity to give back to the postdoc community here at Argonne.”
