Earlier this year, Manjón Sanz received the 2024 ORNL Early Career Competition Award for her proposal on “Designing Sustainable Materials for Energy Applications.” The goal of the project is to synthesize and process sustainable materials and investigate their structure-property relationships using neutron powder diffraction techniques guided by computational approaches. The project is designed to produce environmentally friendly materials that can be used in energy-related applications in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. This project will be carried out as a collaboration across ORNL with Manjón Sanz leading the effort. 

“I was very impressed with Alicia’s proposal. Her passion for creating a cleaner environment is commendable and directly in line with ORNL’s values,” said Jon Taylor, director of the Neutron Scattering Division. “It will be interesting to hear about her conversations with those in attendance at the forum, particularly on the topic of sustainability.”

Clean energy is one of many topics that Manjón Sanz is looking forward to discussing at the Science and Technology in Society forum. “This program is a platform for me to learn from people more experienced than myself,” said Manjón Sanz. “I am eager to expand my knowledge and bring that information back to ORNL and DOE. I feel excited to represent the lab at this year’s Science and Technology in Society forum.” 

To be eligible for the program, applicants must display strong leadership skills that allow them to take on a central role in research.

“I have always been impressed with Alicia’s work ethic and attitude. The high regard in which she holds the science and work we produce translates to both the team and those who visit SNS to utilize the world-leading resources we have here,” said Clarina dela Cruz, group leader for the Powder Diffraction group. 

The Science and Technology in Society forum offers a platform for world leaders in the fields of policy making, academia and industries to gather and provides a unique forum on science and technology. Founded in 2004 by Former Minister of Finance of Japan Kōji Omi, the purpose of this year’s Science and Technology in Society forum is to bring together scientists and global leaders to discuss topics such as sustainability, renewable energy and artificial intelligence. ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer also will attend the forum. He plans to speak during a session titled, “Investment and Financing for Energy Transition.”

Last year’s Science and Technology in Society forum included nearly 1,500 global leaders from more than 80 countries, regions and international organizations. In attendance were 14 Nobel Laureates, 51 university presidents and 10 academy of science presidents, including President of the National Academy of Sciences Marcia McNutt.

The Young Leaders Program will convene October 5, 2024, in Kyoto, Japan, at the Kyoto International Conference Center, leading up to the Science and Technology in Society forum, which will take place October 6-8.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science — Kaeli Swaggerty

This Oak Ridge National Laboratory news article "Neutron scientist Manjón Sanz selected for Young Leaders Program in Kyoto, Japan" was originally found on https://www.ornl.gov/news