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BY ROZANNA M. MARTINEZ AND RYAN BOETEL JOURNAL STAFF WRITERS
The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers has recognized two Sandia National Laboratories scientists for years of leadership and accomplishments.
Patrick Feng, a materials scientist, received the Professional Achievement Award, 10-plus years, for his work developing radiationdetection materials. He’s been a part of early-stage research and development and the commercialization of devices used to detect radiation, particularly neutron and gamma-rays. His work has resulted in 10 U.S. patents.
Feng leads a team of 15 technical staff members and mentors, undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, according to a Sandia news release.
“When you’re lucky enough to enjoy your work and those you work with, good things happen,” Feng said in a news release. “Developing solutions to complex engineering challenges takes an interdisciplinary team that values everyone’s unique perspective equally. To be recognized by SASE for our great teamwork in solving national security challenges is truly fulfilling.”
Meanwhile, Thushara Gunda, a systems research analyst, earned a Promising Professional Achievement Award, 2-10 years, for her advances in water security, energy resilience and anticipatory science.
Gunda works on analytics for climate and earth sciences and co-leads a multilab effort focused on water-energy information exchanges.
She also mentors early career science, technology, engineering and math students, according to a Sandia news release.
“Having the flexibility and support to explore integrating ideas across disciplines with data helps advance solutions at the nexus of social, environmental and engineering puzzles,” Gunda said in a statement. “This award helps underscore the many creative minds working together on these projects. Being at Sandia truly helped us all connect with each other around a common purpose.”
Joe Farr, a NAIOP New Mexico board member, recently received the Volunteer of the Year award for a medium-sized chapter at the association’s Chapter Leadership & Legislative Retreat in Washington, D.C. NAIOP is a commercial development association.
Farr was recognized for his role in orchestrating the Housing Forward plan and his commitment to NAIOP New Mexico that surpasses conventional expectations, according to a NAIOP news release.
“Joe’s pivotal role in orchestrating the Housing Forward plan showcased a level of collaborative leadership rarely seen, uniting diverse factions to tackle a housing crisis that extends far beyond our organization’s scope,” Rhiannon Samuel, NAIOP New Mexico’s executive director, said in the news release.
Samuel added Farr practices a level of proactive, visionary leadership that exceeds the conventional responsibilities of a board member, which elevates the impact of the chapter.
Local landscape company staff takes top honors
Five staff members of Yellow Landscape Southwest Region were recognized at the company’s national sales and branch managers conferences.
Cody McNallen, Eric Spalsbury and Matthew Hagerman were named “rainmakers” for their business development achievements, according to a Yellowstone Landscape news release.
NATI ONAL LA BORAT ORIES
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David Batista was named Rookie Branch Manager of the Year for the Albuquerque maintenance branch. The award was shared with Juan Torres, Santa Fe branch manager.
Spalsbury, the business development manager, also was inducted into the Yellowstone Landscape Hall of Fame for 20 years of service with the company.
“Each of these individuals has shown incredible leadership, dedication to the success of the company and to the staff who they mentor and support every day,” John Richardson, regional vice president, said in the news release. “Yellowstone’s Southwest Region is fortunate to have such outstanding contributors to the company’s culture.”
Artichoke Cafe opens for lunch
Lunch is back at Artichoke Cafe, a restaurant that has operated for more than 30 years in the east Downtown area.
The restaurant, at 424 Central SE, has resumed lunch service. It ceased lunch service several years ago.
Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with Happy Hour running from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner service starts at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sunday. For reservations and menus, visit artichokecafe.com.
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