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Gert Patello
Chief Operations Officer

Gert Patello is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Management and Operations group leader at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), a Department of Energy (DOE) user facility. Patello received her PhD in Ceramics from Alfred University under the direction of Associate Professor Gary Fischman.

Prior to becoming EMSL COO, Patello served as a research scientist, project manager, line manager, sector manager, and project management office director at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). She managed PNNL's Isotope Program as part of the DOE Office of Science's isotope program, providing mission-aligned leadership and strategic direction. She has led or participated in strategic planning efforts related to PNNL's Radiochemical Processing Laboratory, the Reinventing Chemical Catalysis Laboratory Objective, and the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory. She is a past member of the Fusion Energy Science Advisory Committee which provides independent advice to the Director of the Office of Science on complex scientific and technological issues that arise in the fusion energy sciences program.

Education

  • PhD in Ceramics, Alfred University
  • BS in Ceramic Engineering, Alfred University
  • Certified Project Management Professional

Awards and Recognition

  • 20 PNNL Outstanding Performance Awards, 1999–2020
  • PS&E Award for Strategic Business Development for Nuclear Fuel Cell Project with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, 2004
  • Nominee, PNNL Woman of Achievement, 2000–2001

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Project Management Institute

Publications

2018

  • Rishel J.P., J.M. Barnett, A.V. Mozhayev, E.B. Dutcher, S.A. Colby, G.L. Carter, and G.K. Patello, et al. 2018. "EVALUATION OF AN UPWARD TREND IN BACKGROUND COUNT RATES FROM A STACK PARTICULATE CONTINUOUS AIR MONITOR." Health Physics 115, no. 4:531-538. PNNL-SA-131367. doi:10.1097/HP.0000000000000901

2007

  • Peterson R.B., B. Paul, T. Palmer, Q. Wu, W. Jost, C.T. Tseng, and S. Tiwari, et al. 2007. "Microscale Power Generation based on Radiolytic Processes." In The Sixth International Workshop on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2006), November 29-December 1, 2006, Berkeley, California, 235-238. Bristol:IOPScience. PNWD-SA-7665.
     
  • Peterson R.B., B. Paul, T. Palmer, Q. Wu, W. Jost, C.T. Tseng, and S. Tiwari, et al. 2007. "Radiolytic microscale power generation based on single chamber fuel cell operation." Journal of Micromechanics and microengineering: structures, devices & systems 17. PNWD-SA-8045. doi:10.1088/0960-1317/17/9/S07

2002

  • Palmer R.A., H.D. Smith, G.L. Smith, M.R. Smith, R.L. Russell, and G.K. Patello. 2002. "Chemical and Physical Characterization of the First West Valley Demonstration Project High-Level Waste Feed Batch." In Environmental Issues & Waste Management Technologies in the Ceramic & Nuclear Industries VII: Proceedings - Science & Technology in Addressing Environmental Issues in the Ceramic Industry and the Ceramic Science & Technology for the Nuclear Industry Symposiums; 103rd Annual Meeting, American Ceramic Society, April 22-25, 2001, Indianapolis, IN.: Ceramic Transactions, edited by DR Spearing, GL Smith and SK Sundaram, 132. Westerville, Ohio:The American Ceramic Society. PNNL-SA-35400. doi:10.1002/9781118371435.ch33

2001

  • Patello G.K., L.R. O'Neil, and J.L. Bryant. 2001. "Establishing a Lactation Support Program at Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory." Chemical Health & Safety 8, no. 3:9-11. PNWD-SA-5186.

1999

  • Li H., D.E. Smith, P.R. Hrma, G.K. Patello, G.L. Smith, and M.L. Elliott. 1999. "Compositional Effects on Crystallinity and Durability of High-Level Radioactive Waste Glasses." In Environmental issues and waste management technologies in the ceramic and nuclear industries IV, Ceramic transactions, edited by James C. Marra, Gregory T. Chandler, 93, 241 - 249. Westerville, Ohio:American Ceramic Society. PNNL-SA-30119.
     
  • Patello G.K., M.J. Truex, and K.D. Wiemers. 1999. Low-Activity Waste and High-Level Waste Feed Processing Data Quality Objectives. PNNL-12163. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Low-Activity Waste and High-Level Waste Feed Processing Data Quality Objectives

1998