March 4, 2009

NSLS Physicist Elaine DiMasi Awarded Tenure

Elaine DiMasi

NSLS physicist Elaine DiMasi is one of eight scientists granted tenure, effective December 1, 2008, by Brookhaven Science Associates. She was appointed based on her scientific accomplishments related to ordering at liquid surfaces as well as her research and leadership in the field of biomineralization.

"Elaine has clearly demonstrated creative and independent accomplishment of a high order in the performance of original research," said Steve Dierker, Associate Laboratory Director for Light Sources. "Her work has been at the forefront and has provided the groundwork for exploration by others. We are delighted that she is a member of the scientific staff in the Light Sources Directorate."

Most recently, DiMasi has made a name for herself by using synchrotron tools to take structural measurements in studies involving biomineralization, the process by which organisms form materials such as bones and mollusk shells. Finding a way to mimic the properties of these sturdy and naturally made materials could lead to the medical engineering of replacement bone, teeth, and cartilage, as well as the development of new electronic and industrial materials. Prior to her biomineralization work, DiMasi contributed to research and technical advances in the investigation of surface ordering of liquid metals.

DiMasi received her Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan in 1996, and immediately after, joined Brookhaven's Physics Department as a research associate. She was promoted to assistant physicist in 1997, associate physicist in 1999, and to physicist in 2002. She joined the NSLS as a physicist in 2003, where she currently serves as the spokesperson and local contact for beamline X6B, and helps develop instrumentation for beamline X9.

ARTICLE BY: Kendra Snyder