AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate recognizes annual awards winners Published March 4, 2014 By Air Force Research Laboratory Materials & Manufacturing Directorate WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- The Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate recognized its top performers during the 61st Annual RX awards ceremony at the Hope Hotel on Jan. 24. The award recipients are as follows: Engineering Expertise Award F135 Blade Investigation Team of John Brausch, Dr. Jeffrey Calcaterra, Jeremy Knopp, Dr. Jonathan Miller, and Robert Ware The team reacted to the failure of a F135 third stage turbine blade during flight testing and their engineering expertise helped quickly restore an aircraft fleet to flight status and ensured safe operations. International Award Dr. Reji John John led efforts to establish technology collaborations with Australia and India to share U.S. technology and leverage international research. His expertise and world-class research catalyzed state-of-the-art lifing technology across the globe. R. Lee Kennard Science and Technology Manufacturing Heritage Award Dilip Punatar Punatar led an affordability program to develop innovative manufacturing processes to produce the first-ever low cost common data link tuneless diplexer for Remotely Piloted Aircraft communication systems. Program Management Award Dr. Jennifer Fielding Fielding is recognized for her management of America Makes, The National Accelerator for Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, a $70 million public-private partnership and "flagship" for other new institutes of manufacturing innovation. Supervisor Excellence Award Dr. Katie Thorp Thorp is responsible for management and supervision of a diverse team, including 24 civilian scientists and engineers, three Company Grade Officers, and 60 on-site contractors. Vincent J. Russo Award Dr. Michael Caton Caton was recognized for his leadership and impact on RX's pathfinder Foundational Engineering Problem for nickel residual stress, a key part of RX's strategy for Integrated Computational Materials Science & Engineering initiative. Mission Support Award Robert Ellis Ellis is a skilled member of the business operations and administrative team; he resolved work support issues quickly ensuring uninterrupted service across the Directorate. Advanced Mission Support Award Donald Piddock Piddock is an Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health System Administrator providing crucial support to emergency management and continuity of operations. Director's Team Award The Corporate Communications Team of Robyn Mack, Jeremy Gratsch, Sheila Boyer, and Mary Ann Klos The team impacted communications efforts, increasing overall awareness of the Directorate's accomplishments offering dynamic insight into mission of the research organization. Director's Junior Workforce Award Dr. Jonathan Miller Miller has displayed leadership from exploratory research to enhancing Air Force system capability as a researcher and rapid responder in a diverse range of casting technology and solidification issues. Director's Individual Award John Brausch Brausch distinguished himself as an expert in Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) across DoD and industry, applying NDI materials and processing knowledge, quick reaction, inspection consultation, and technical transition to improve aircraft availability and prevent grounding. Senior Noncommissioned Officer Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Hayes Hayes responded to a field request for assistance procuring a discontinued machine lubricant that prevented 51 Computer Numerical Control milling machines from being shut down. Company Grade Officer 1st Lt. Jacob Heitzman Heitzman's ingenuity and leadership achieved Directorate goals through critical technology demonstration and transition to the warfighter. Field Grade Officer Lt. Col. Scott Fitzner Fitzner orchestrated a 200-member government and contractor team across more than 70 Congressional Interest Item programs and a $120 million portfolio to ensure technology maturation and transition in the energy, environmental, and pollution prevention arenas. Robert T. Schwartz Engineering Achievement Award The PT6 Fuel Nozzle Evaluation Team of Dr. Patrick Golden and Robert Ware The team quickly identified the root cause of the nozzle cracking during T-6 training operations. Their quick thinking and novel engineering approach prevented a grounding of the T-6 fleet, allowing the Air Force to continue primary pilot training. Charles J. Cleary Scientific Achievement Award The BioNano-Energetics Team of Dr. Rajesh Naik and Dr. Jonathan Spowart The team demonstrated the potential of biomaterial (protein cages) for Air Force capabilities as safer energetic materials with higher reaction kinetics and enhanced exothermic behavior.