Hardin Valley scientist chosen to lead ORNL’s BESSD division
As Dr. Stan Wullschleger of Hardin Valley takes on his new role as associate laboratory director for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate, he and his team want to focus on climate change and other national concerns.
“Our plans are coming together now, but we want to focus our people and our capabilities on urgent needs of the nation in climate change, clean energy and environmental justice,” Wullschleger said.
“Each of these is an exciting opportunity as is the intersection of all three.”
“Climate change and demand for clean water are global priorities, with solutions directly informed by ORNL’s research in the biological, Earth and climate sciences,” ORNL director Thomas Zacharia stated in a press release. “Stan has been integral to some of our most important efforts in these areas. He is ideally suited to lead this research.”
As new BESSD associate director, Wullschleger will “lead a diverse group of scientists focused on advancing understanding of the natural world, designing secure biosystems and improving U.S. competitiveness in the global bioeconomy through innovations in bio-energy and bioproducts,” the release stated.
“The laboratory has a rich history in the biological and environmental sciences and I have been fortunate to have made my career here,” Wullschleger said. “I am honored by this opportunity to build on our capabilities and to help shape our future research directions.
“Having been at ORNL as a scientist since 1990, stepping into the associate laboratory director role provides an ongoing opportunity to shape both the science and the solutions to many societal challenges,” added the Kansas native. “This has been my passion for many years, and it’s great to contribute in ways that help our nation.”
Before taking on his new role, Wullschleger was ORNL’s director of the Environmental Sciences Division, in addition to serving as a Corporate Research Fellow and principal investigator for a Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments Arctic climate change project in Alaska, the release stated.
He also served as interim associate laboratory director for both BESSD and its predecessor, the Energy and Environmental Sciences Directorate.
Wullschleger’s responsibilities continue to focus on Earth, climate and environmental sciences. However, now they are broadened to encompass the biological sciences as well.
“Biology, both that of plants and microbes, lie at the heart of many ecological studies,” he said. “For example, working in Alaska we’ve learned that thawing permafrost has implications for plants and microbes and what tundra landscapes will look like in the future.
“I now get to work with my colleagues across ORNL to bring biology and ecology together in exciting ways that help understand the world around us. How cool is that?” Wullschleger added.
He and wife, Denise, moved to Knox County in 1990. Their children are Laura and Kevin.
“Our family has lived in several locations across the city,” he said. “Just recently we moved into the Harden Valley area and love the quick access to not only ORNL but other areas in west Knoxville.”
