Ellen D. Williams (scientist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ellen D. Williams
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Williams in 2016
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| Born | December 5, 1953 Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.
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| Thesis | Studies of chemical adsorption using low energy electron diffraction (1982) |
| Doctoral advisor | William Henry Weinberg |
Ellen D. Williams (born December 5, 1953) is an American scientist. She is well-known for her studies on how surfaces behave and for her work with tiny materials called nanotechnology. She also served as the chief scientist for a big energy company called BP. Later, she worked for the U.S. government as the director of ARPA-E, which helps develop new energy technologies.
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Early Life and Education
Ellen D. Williams was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. She went to Michigan State University and earned her first degree in chemistry in 1976. She then continued her studies at the California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech. There, she earned her PhD in chemistry in 1981. Her research focused on how chemicals stick to surfaces.
A Career in Science and Leadership
After finishing her PhD, Dr. Williams did more research at the University of Maryland from 1981 to 1983. She then became a professor in the physics and astronomy department. She became a full professor in 1991.
Leading Research at the University of Maryland
Dr. Williams started the University of Maryland Materials Research Group in 1991. This group studied how materials are made and how they behave. She helped it grow into a bigger center in 1996. She was the director of this center until 2009. In 2000, she was named a "distinguished university professor." This is a special title for top professors. She was also chosen to be a member of important science groups. These include the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2003 and the National Academy of Sciences in 2005.
Working with BP and the U.S. Government
In 2010, Dr. Williams took a break from the University of Maryland. She became the chief scientist at BP, a large energy company. She held this important role until April 2014.
After that, President Barack Obama nominated her to lead ARPA-E. This is a government agency that supports new energy technologies. While waiting for approval, she worked as an advisor to the Secretary of Energy. She officially became the director of ARPA-E in December 2014. She led ARPA-E until January 2017.
After her time in government, she returned to the University of Maryland. In May 2020, she became the director of the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center. This center studies Earth's systems. Her five-year term began in July 2020. She also advises an Australian research center that works on energy-efficient electronics.
Understanding Surfaces and Tiny Materials
Dr. Williams's research focuses on understanding how surfaces work at a very small level. She studies how atoms and molecules behave on surfaces. Her team developed new ways to see atomic structures on surfaces. This research helps us understand things like how catalysts work. Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions. Her work also helps with making thin films and tiny electronic devices. She has written over 200 science papers.
Advising on National Security
Besides her academic work, Dr. Williams has given scientific advice to the U.S. government. She has worked with the Departments of Energy and Defense. In 2009, she led a study about checking for nuclear tests. This study helped show that the ability to detect nuclear tests had greatly improved. She is also the vice-chair of JASON. This is a group of scientists who advise the U.S. government on important science and technology issues.
Innovating at BP
As chief scientist at BP, Dr. Williams helped guide the company's technology programs. She also worked on strategic research. She helped set up a research program for the Gulf of Mexico. She also pushed for using advanced computer methods in chemistry and data analysis. She led a research program about how natural resources affect energy. This program produced booklets on topics like water and biomass in the energy industry. Dr. Williams has often spoken about the need for new science and technology. This is important to provide the energy the world needs in a sustainable way.
Work at the Department of Energy
Before leading ARPA-E, Dr. Williams advised the Secretary of Energy. She helped with policies about sharing new technologies developed by the Department of Energy. She also helped create a new office. This office helps bring the Department's research and development to the economy.
At ARPA-E, Dr. Williams worked to make the agency's processes smoother. This helped the teams working on new energy technologies. She also focused on helping these teams prepare their technologies for real-world use. She started a series of "Impact Assessments." These reports show the challenges and successes of ARPA-E projects. They also show how these projects can help the economy.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Williams has received many awards for her important work. In 2016, she was elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society of London. This is a very high honor for scientists.
Other awards and honors include:
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2019
- Honorary Member of Sigma Pi Sigma (the physics honors society), 2019
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, California Institute of Technology, 2016
- Honorary Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2016
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences, 2005
- Materials Research Society – David Turnbull Award, 2003
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2003
- American Physical Society – David Adler Lectureship Award in the Field of Materials Physics, 2001
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellow, 1996
- Fellow of the American Vacuum Society, 1993
- Fellow of the American Physical Society, 1992
- American Physical Society Maria Goeppert Mayer Award, 1990
- Office of Naval Research Young Investigator, 1986-1989
- Presidential Young Investigator Award of the National Science Foundation, 1984-1989
Images for kids
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Professor Ellen Williams in 2016
