ECBC BioSciences Staff Recognized With Bronze Federal Career Awards

Three Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) BioSciences staff members have been selected to receive Bronze 2011 Excellence in Federal Career Awards from the Baltimore Federal Executive Board. Lalena Wallace and Lisa Smith of the BioDefense Branch will receive a medal for Outstanding Scientific Support Team and Sandy Leonard, project support assistant for the BioChemistry Branch, will receive a medal for Rookie Employee of the Year.

Wallace and Smith are being recognized for their technical contributions in a number of high-profile programs, including Test Methods Development from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, Detection of Biowarfare pathogen in Drinking Water and Development of Novel Bioassay for the Detection of Ricin Toxin from the U.S. EPA National Homeland Security Research Center and Testing of Hot Air as a Non-invasive Decon Technology for Aircraft Interior from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office. In addition, Wallace provided significant input to the conceptual development of novel Ricin bioassay.

“Congratulations to Lalena and Lisa for being selected as winners,” said Vipin Rastogi, Ph.D., of the BioDefense Branch, who nominated the two biologists. “They represent a symbol of maturity, integrity, and utmost professionalism at work place blended with an even temper, team spirit, and safe work ethics.

“Sandy has performed at an exceptional level in developing and maintaining the programmatic operations of the BioChemistry Branch,” said Branch Chief Jim Carney. “Consequently, she has been an invaluable asset to me in carrying out the job of branch chief.”

The staff members will receive their awards during an awards luncheon in Baltimore May 6.