Farragut man selected to head ORNL directorate
Ken Andersen of Farragut recently was promoted to associate laboratory director for the Neutron Sciences Directorate (division) of U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
“I feel privileged to be chosen for this position,” the Denmark native said. “Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is in itself, one of the leading labs in the world in the terms of doing science, and neutron sciences in (ORNL) is the leading lab in the world for doing the kind of science that we do, using beams of neutrons.
“To find myself now responsible for one of the leading labs in the world, I couldn’t ask for more,” Andersen added. “This is an amazing opportunity.
“I’ve always wanted to make a difference, and I feel I really can make a difference in this position. I think I have a clear view of what I would like us to be able to do to play a stronger role in delivering science for the nation. I think it’s a real privilege to be able to do that.
Listing his goals, “My aim is to lead ORNL’s neutron user facilities to the highest possible levels of performance and source availability and help increase their scientific impact even further,” Andersen said. “I’m very excited about having a part in helping to drive the organization forward.”
As he takes the helm as neutron sciences directorate, Andersen faces challenges stemming from COVID-19, which includes his people working remotely at present.
The Farragut resident has been working in the neutron arena his entire career. He started working at ORNL in January 2020. After spending the first six months in West Knoxville, he and wife, Alison, moved to Farragut in October 2020.
“It took us a while, but I think Farragut just ticks all the boxes for us,” Andersen said. “It was kind of a no-brainer for us to decide that’s where we wanted to live.”
The Andersen couple have three grown children: Hana, Soren and Sacha.
“Andersen brings extensive experience to the neutron scattering research and user programs at ORNL,” Amy Keller, ORNL spokesperson, stated in a press release.
Before joining ORNL, Andersen was with the European Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden, where he led the Neutron Instruments Division and oversaw the selection and construction of instruments from conceptual development through design, procurement, installation and commissioning.
Previously a division director at ORNL, he succeeded past associate director Paul Langan, who is joining the Institut Laue Langevin, or ILL, in France as its new director.
In his new role as Neutron Sciences Directorate, Andersen is responsible for two major facilities producing neutrons for materials science research — the High Flux Isotope Reactor and the Spallation Neutron Source.
“These large and complex user facilities attract scientists from all over the globe who conduct research here, although that research (including COVID-19 research) is being done remotely during the pandemic,” Keller stated.
Andersen previously led the Neutron Optics Laboratory at ILL and has commissioned and operated neutron scattering instruments at both ILL and the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom.
As a physicist, he began his career as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Laboratory for High Energy Physics in Japan after earning his doctorate in physics and a bachelor’s in physics and mathematics at Keele University, U.K.
“ORNL is a world leader in neutron sciences, and Ken brings a track record of international accomplishment to this critical position,” ORNL director Thomas Zacharia stated in the press release.
“The research conducted at SNS and HFIR is advancing the understanding of materials and informing developments in energy, industry, technology and medicine,” he added.
“We are pleased to have Ken at the helm.”
