Thomas Proffen, a neutron scattering scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and founder of Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls, was recognized with an award from the National Center for Women & Information Technology, or NCWIT. In addition, one of his students received a national honor from the organization.
Proffen was one of two educators to receive an Aspirations in Computing honorable mention educator award. One of his mentees, Bella Haden, was named Aspirations in Computing regional award winner and was recognized nationally by NCWIT. Haden is a senior at West High School in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Aspirations in Computing awards recognize aptitude and interest in technology and computing, leadership, academics and post-secondary education plans. Dedicated educators who support these students are also honored.
"This recognition was completely unexpected," Proffen said. "I am honored and so proud of our students. I hope to spread the word to local high schools about the organization. There are many opportunities within NCWIT for girls interested in technology."
Devoted to his passion for educational outreach, Proffen founded ORCSGirls in 2017 to encourage middle school girls in East Tennessee to explore careers in technology and help close the gender gap in related professions. ORCSGirls has served more than 1,500 young women from across the U.S. and beyond. Proffen also volunteers as a facilitator for Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement in STEM, or SAGE, at ORNL. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, SAGE provides a free week-long summer camp for high school girls to learn about working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields.
"There are many moments I witnessed our students coming alive to science and technology in a girls-only environment," Proffen said. "They find others they click with and what a difference it makes. Being a nerd turns from something they shy away from to something they are proud of."
Proffen became Haden's mentor when she joined ORCSGirls in the eighth grade and entered her first competition. Haden's project consisted of a simulation she created showing how computer viruses affect networked computers.
"He inspires me to keep achieving my goals and pushing forward," said Haden. "ORCSGirls helped me discover how much I love computer science and it helped me see my strengths. It helped me grow as a leader."
Haden is headed to the Colorado School of Mines where she will major in chemical engineering and computer science. She plans to continue volunteering with ORCSGirls as a mentor.
"Thomas' work with middle school and high school girls resonates with me as a woman in science," said Clarina Dela Cruz, senior R&D staff and Powder Diffraction group leader at ORNL. "I am thrilled to see recognition of his stellar efforts."
Proffen leads the High Performance Computing, Modeling and Data Analytics Initiative in ORNL's Neutron Sciences Directorate. In this role, he leads the coordination of neutron data analysis for neutron scattering experiments. Proffen is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Neutron Scattering Society of America and American Crystallographic Association.
"We are eager to see such outreach from our amazing staff. Their collective passion for education - especially for middle school girls in science and technology - is exactly what is needed to effect long-term change," said Matt Tucker, section head for Diffraction group at ORNL.
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, visit energy.gov/science - Sumner Brown Gibbs
