Lynnette Madsen, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dr. Madsen’s area of technical excellence is in the field of ceramics. Lynnette earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from McMaster University. She worked at various institutions including Nortel Networks and Linkoping University before accepting a position in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2000. Among her accolades are numerous prestigious awards, two patents, and about 100 published articles, referred journal articles and conference proceedings. A condensed version of Lynnette’s resume can be found on-line at: http://www.nsf.gov/mps/dmr/bios/lmadsen.jsp
Dr. Lynnette Madsen is a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); she emphasizes engagement of underrepresented women and minorities by ensuring they receive the visibility and recognition they deserve. As a Program Director in the Materials Research Division at NSF Dr. Madsen helps bring about and fund proposals to assist under represented women and minorities. She also overseas special awards, publishes journal articles, creates workshops and activities, and mentors many to improve the work environment for underrepresented researchers. In addition to influencing policy and practices to engage underrepresented groups at NSF, Dr. Madsen organizes and leads diversity efforts within the NSF. Dr. Madsen always offers a guiding hand to faculty, particularly to those in the early stages of their careers. Her publications and presentations on work force diversity makes her an effective advocate for all minorities and results in having others joining her cause.
It is important to mention that Lynnette was awarded the Junipero Serra Award from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) in November 2013. This award recognizes outstanding contributions (mentoring etc.) to support Hispanic professionals (specifically engineers); this is the highest recognition a non-Hispanic person can receive from SHPE! In November 2013, Dr. Lynnette Madsen was also presented the Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo.
It should be pointed out that what while at NSF Lynnette lead the Africa, New East & South Asia Program in the Office of International Science and Engineering; ADVANCE (Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers) Program in Education & Human Resources (HER)/Human Resource Development; and was a DMR representative on the Research in Undergraduate Institutions.
Now to Lynnett’es roles and involvement within the AVS. In 2013, I was the Program Vice Chair of the AVS 60th Annual Symposium and Exhibition and Lynnette proposed and lead a successful new focus topic on Accelerating Materials Discovery for Global Competitiveness (MG). In 2013 she also served as the chair of the AVS Professional Leadership Committee, and was a member of the AVS membership committee. While Lynnette was part of the membership committee, she proposed the formation of an AVS Excellence in Leadership Award, the award which she is being nominated for in 2014!
Throughout last year, I had numerous interactions with Lynnette. As we started to prepare for AVS-61, Lynnette was very proactive on the topic of Diversity and Inclusiveness; she called a number of items to our attention. We adapted all of her suggestions and our Call for Abstracts is revealing the benefits. Despite everything on her plate in 2014, Lynnette agreed to serve as a co-chair for the Accelerating Materials Discovery for Global Competitiveness Focus Topic at AVS-61. Lynnette was also elected to serve as an AVS Trustee!
Through her activities (only a sub-set are listed above), Lynnette helped countless individuals. Discussions I have had with Lynnette, as well as her colleagues, reveals her passion for mentorship, she is always acting in a “mentoring” role.