Uzoma Onunkwo leads efforts in cutting-edge research and development spanning high-speed data analytics, streaming machine learning, large-scale wireless network simulation and quantum information science. His work in multithreaded coding, data structure and algorithms, queue management and compiler optimization accelerated new analytics on high-speed streaming data while protecting government computer networks. He has achieved notable success in the research and implementation of algorithms that enable large-scale wireless simulations at Sandia.
Ten Sandia National Laboratories engineers received Black Engineer of the Year Awards, including Most Promising Scientist, Modern Technology Leaders and Science Spectrum Trailblazers.
Honorees include Sandia systems, chemical, computer, electrical, petroleum, manufacturing and mechanical engineers who excel in their respective fields, powering innovation while flexing their technological muscles for U.S. national security.
The recipients, all with advanced engineering degrees, hold patents, have published extensively and received numerous professional and community awards. They perform several roles at Sandia and with research and academic partners across the country.
In addition to their professional pursuits, they are active with youth in their communities as local youth sports coaches, STEM student program and event mentors, computer camp counselors, Big Brothers and Sisters volunteers, local tutors and ambassadors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“Each of these award recipients demonstrates remarkable abilities to inspire procedures, productivity and people in their professional and personal lives,” says Esther Hernandez, Sandia’s chief diversity officer. “Sandia embraces the importance of supporting our professionals both in their careers and personal interests, which benefits our employees, enterprise and communities.”
BEYA is a program of the national Career Communications Group, an advocate for corporate diversity, and is part of its STEM achievement program. The awards annually recognize the nation’s best and brightest engineers, scientists and technology experts. This year’s all-digital conference was held Feb. 11-13, when the awards were announced.
Jeffrey Robinson leads a diverse team of engineers who provide research and development hardware and software surety engineering expertise of high-consequence systems throughout a product-realization lifecycle. Robinson delivers technical solutions for prevention, early detection and mitigation of defects to protect against loss, damage and errors associated with national security technology. He develops or demonstrates new designs, testing concepts, materials, products, processes and systems.
This year’s Sandia Black Engineer of the Year awardees are:
Most Promising Scientist — Professional Award
LaRico J. Treadwell, chemical engineer
Modern Day Technology Leader — Outstanding Achievement Award
Uzoma Onunkwo, electrical and computer engineer
David Carter, electrical engineer
Tonya Ross, petroleum engineer
Elijah J. Finch, computer engineer
Science Spectrum Trailblazer — Outstanding Achievement Award
Quenton McKinnis, systems engineer
Jeffrey Robinson, manufacturing engineer
Dennisa Thomas, electrical engineer
Tearie C. Buie, electrical engineer
Adam D. Williams, systems engineer
