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Kenneth Kemner

[Ken] BioSciences Division
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne, IL 60439

phone: (630) 252-1163
FAX: (630) 252-9793
e-mail kemner@anl.gov

Education

Ph.D., Physics University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN) Sept. 1993
B.S., Physics (Cum Laude) Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH) June 1986

Work Experience

Argonne National Laboratory, Environmental Research Division, Argonne, Illinois 60439
Title: Research Scientist
Description: Primary responsibility: 1) the development of a synchrotron-based environmental research program within the Environmental Research Division of Argonne National Laboratory.  Primary focus: mineral-metal-microbe interactions.  Characterization techniques include: 2D x-ray imaging (transmission, XRF, and phase contrast), x-ray microtomographic imaging (absorption and phase contrast), and XAFS.
Supervisors: Dr. S.T. Pratt July '96- Sept. '98
  Dr. B. M. Lesht Oct. '98 - Sept '03
  Dr. B.M. Lesht Oct. '08 - present

Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375-5000
Condensed Matter and Radiation Sciences Division
Title:National Research Council Fellow
Description: Responsibilities include: 1) the investigation of the relationship between processing, structure and magnetic properties of magnetic thin films, 2) the investigation of the local structure of contaminants in different crown-ethers, soils, colloidal clays and synthetic resins for remediation of contaminated soil at the Savannah River Site,   3) the development of the technique for deconvoluting the LIII and LII spin-polarized EXAFS signals of the 3-d transition metals, 4) the investigation of the local structure of exotic high-temperature superconductors.  Characterization techniques include: extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism and magnetic extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction using synchrotron, rotating anode and conventional sources.
Advisor: Dr. W.T. Elam Oct 1993- July 1996

U. of Notre Dame Physics Department, Notre Dame, IN 46556
Title: Research Associate
Description:Designed and developed the first Low-Temperature, Liquid Nitrogen-cycled He-gas-filled TEY EXAFS detector coupled with a three stage goniometer system.  Used this detector to investigate the local interfacial structure of new blue-light laser material ZnTe/CdSe.  Discovered the formation of high-strained phases at the ZnTe/CdSe superlattice interfaces, contrary to previous strain minimization theory, and developed the new theory to explain these results.  Used newly-developed TEY detector to investigate the local atomic structure of thin film Ti Silicides, Fe/Cu superlattices, and GaxIn1-xAs thin films.  Participated in the design and construction of the UHV Notre Dame Surface Analysis System (NDSAS).  Also designed and constructed the parallel electron energy analysis system for NDSAS.  Structural characterization techniques include X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, RHEELS, Auger Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction including the use of a double crystal diffractometer.
Advisor: Dr. B.A. Bunker Jan. 1987 - Sept. 1993

U. of Notre dame physics department Notre Dame, IN 46556
Title: Lab Instructor
Description:  Taught Pre-Med and Introductory Engineering Physics Labs with the aid of a subordinate teaching assistant.  Responsibilities include some of the development of new lab classes, administration, and maintenance of undergraduate physics laboratories; preparation and delivery of weekly lectures; homework and laboratory report grading, and one-on-one tutoring sessions.
    Sept. 1986 - June 1993

University of Cincinnati physics department Cinn., OH 45207
Title: Research Associate
Description: Used the Mossbauer Spectroscopy technique to study the chemical environment around Sn atoms in mechanically-annealed NbSn samples.  Investigated the correlation of the sample's oxygen concentration to the preparation technique used to create it.
Advisor: Dr. Punit Boolchand May 1986 - Aug. 1986

Awards, Honors, and Activities

bullet Argonne National Laboratory representative to the US DOE BER Environmental Remediation Science Division
bullet Session Co-convener of “New applications of synchrotron radiation in Earth and planetary sciences" of the 19th General Assembly of the International Mineralogical Association.
bullet Adjunct Professor, U. of Notre Dame, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003-present.
bullet International Scientific Committee for the 3rd and 4th Workshop on Speciation, Techniques, and Facilities for Radioactive Materials at Synchrotron Light Sources.
bullet U. of Notre Dame Center for Environmental Science and Technology Program Advisory Board, 2003-present.
bullet Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, 2000.
bullet Department of Energy, Office of Science Early Career Scientist Award, 2000.
bullet International Union of Crystallography Young Scientist Award, May, 2000.
bullet Journal of Synchrotron Radiation Guest Co-editor for International XAFS XI Conference, 2000.
bullet Visiting Scholar, University of Notre Dame Center for Environmental Science and Technology (1999-2003).
bullet Co-organizer of Synchrotron Environmental Science-I&II (SES-I&II) Meetings, Advanced Photon Source, April, 1999 & September, 2001.
bullet National Research Council Fellow, 1993-1996.
bullet Graduate Student Teacher of the year (University of Notre Dame Physics Department, 1988).
bullet Zahm Grant Recipient (University of Notre Dame, 1990).
bullet Graduate Student Union Grant Recipient (University of Notre Dame, 1989-1992).
bullet Xavier University Presidential Academic Scholarship (Aug. 1982 - May 1986).
 


Technical Memberships

American Physical Society, American Chemical Society, American Society of Microbiology, International XAFS Society, American Geophysical Union, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Institute of Physics Forum on Education

 

Papers published in peer-reviewed journals

Presentations


Research Funding

Present funding for FY’06 over $1M
(see Presentations list for details)


Miscellaneous

Hobbies: home-brewing, gardening, soccer (player and coach).
• NCAA Division I soccer scholarship (Xavier University, Aug. 1982 - May 1986).
• Red Cross Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor (St. Louis, Mo., May 1980 - Sept. 1985).

 
 
shelly kelly
Last modified: Mon Oct 27 16:07:58 CST 2003