Head of Sandia Energy Storage Department Connects with Native Students

Last week, Stan Atcitty visited ACEP researchers as part of a kickoff for a project focused on medium-voltage direct current power electronics for MVDC interties between remote communities. Atcitty holds the title of distinguished member of technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in the Energy Storage Technology and Systems Department.

Atcitty is a member of the Navajo tribe, and one of his passions is mentoring Native youth in science and engineering. In addition to visiting and presenting to ACEP researchers and staff, Atcitty met with Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education Evon Peter, with members of the UAF Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and with students in the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program.

In 2006, Atcitty was the first Native American male to earn a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Tech University. In 2012, President Barak Obama presented Atcitty with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientist and Engineers. This is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for outstanding scientists and engineers who show exceptional leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge during the 21st century.

 

Sandia's Stan Atcitty presented to ACEP and student engineering groups. Photo by Amanda Byrd.