Robert Wagner, associate laboratory director for the Energy Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Henry Laurence Gantt Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Wagner was honored for his exemplary service to ASME, the engineering profession, and the nation through distinguished management and visionary leadership in bridging disciplines and uniting national laboratories, industry and academia to foster trusted partnerships that move science from discovery to impact.
At ORNL, Wagner leads more than 600 researchers and operations staff advancing technologies in manufacturing, buildings, transportation and grid infrastructure. His team stewards four DOE national user facilities-the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center, Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, and National Transportation Research Center (NTRC)-as well as the Grid Research Innovation and Development Center. These facilities foster collaborations that translate scientific research into practical energy solutions that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, security, resilience and affordability.
"This recognition reflects the extraordinary impact Robert has had throughout his career," said ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer. "His technical leadership and ability to form strong partnerships has advanced technologies that benefit the nation and inspired colleagues throughout the engineering community."
A first-generation college graduate, Wagner joined ORNL as an undergraduate intern in 1992 and advanced through research and leadership roles across the laboratory. He previously served as director of the Buildings and Transportation Science Division and NTRC director. He was named associate laboratory director in 2024.
Wagner was also a founding leader of DOE's Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines initiative, coordinating efforts across nine national laboratories, more than 20 universities, and multiple DOE program offices. Internationally recognized for his expertise in combustion and transportation technologies, he has authored more than 100 technical publications, delivered invited presentations in 10 countries, and organized numerous technical conferences and symposia.
He previously earned the ASME 2024 George Westinghouse Gold Medal, the 2018 ASME McDonald Mentoring Award, and the 2014 ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award. Wagner was named an ASME Fellow in 2015 and has served on numerous ASME committees as a member or chair including as chair of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division.
A Missouri native, Wagner earned his bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Wagner will receive the Gantt Medal during the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Bellevue, Washington.
Named in honor of the pioneering engineer who developed the Gantt chart, a project management tool, the Henry Laurence Gantt Medal was established in 1929 and elevated to a ASME Society award in 1999. ASME is a global, not-for-profit professional organization founded in 1880. With over 130,000 members across more than 150 countries, ASME promotes multidisciplinary engineering through education, training, and research.
UT-Battelle manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory for DOE's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE's Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit energy.gov/science .
