Robert Wagner, affiliate laboratory director for the Energy Science and Technology Directorate on the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been awarded the celebrated 2026 Henry Laurence Gantt Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Wagner was honored for his exemplary service to ASME, the engineering occupation, and the nation by distinguished administration and visionary management in bridging disciplines and uniting nationwide laboratories, trade and academia to foster trusted partnerships that transfer science from discovery to influence.
At ORNL, Wagner leads greater than 600 researchers and operations employees advancing applied sciences in manufacturing, buildings, transportation and grid infrastructure. His staff stewards 4 DOE nationwide person facilities-the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center, Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, and National Transportation Research Center (NTRC)-as nicely because the Grid Research Innovation and Development Center. These amenities foster collaborations that translate scientific analysis into sensible vitality options that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, safety, resilience and affordability.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary impact Robert has had throughout his career,” stated 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 primary-generation faculty graduate, Wagner joined ORNL as an undergraduate intern in 1992 and superior by analysis and management roles throughout the laboratory. He beforehand served as director of the Buildings and Transportation Science Division and NTRC director. He was named affiliate laboratory director in 2024.
Wagner was additionally a founding chief of DOE’s Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines initiative, coordinating efforts throughout 9 nationwide laboratories, greater than 20 universities, and a number of DOE program places of work. Internationally acknowledged for his experience in combustion and transportation applied sciences, he has authored greater than 100 technical publications, delivered invited displays in 10 international locations, and arranged quite a few technical conferences and symposia.
He beforehand 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 quite a few ASME committees as a member or chair together with as chair of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division.
A Missouri native, Wagner earned his bachelor’s diploma, grasp’s diploma and doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Wagner will obtain the Gantt Medal throughout the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Bellevue, Washington.
Named in honor of the pioneering engineer who developed the Gantt chart, a undertaking administration device, the Henry Laurence Gantt Medal was established in 1929 and elevated to a ASME Society award in 1999. ASME is a world, not-for-profit skilled group based in 1880. With over 130,000 members throughout greater than 150 international locations, ASME promotes multidisciplinary engineering by schooling, coaching, and analysis.
UT-Battelle manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory for DOE’s Office of Science, the one largest supporter of primary analysis within the bodily sciences within the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to handle among the most urgent challenges of our time. For extra data, go to energy.gov/science .