THE ENGINEERING EDGE
EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
Volume 5, Issue 7
July 2013
ECBC Welcomes Ten West Point Cadets for the Summer
PICTURED ABOVE (LEFT TO RIGHT): Dr. Augustus Way Fountain, Gabriel Cobb, Dr. James Baker and Christopher Neff. Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) welcomes Cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point to work on research projects in the Center’s laboratories with scientists and engineers. These cadets are pursuing an Advanced Individual Academic Development experience, where they chose to forfeit their summer vacation to instead receive additional laboratory academic credits which will be fulfilled through two to three week rotations at ECBC. Out of the 63 Cadets that the Research, Development, Engineering Command (RDECOM) has from the program, ten of them chose to work with ECBC this summer. Two of the cadets (pictured above), Gabriel Cobb and Christopher Ness received an ECBC overview in June.
ECBC Industrial Base Team Supports Professional Development of University of Iowa Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Undergraduate Students
W
here do engineering, science and national defense intersect in a challenging career? On a recent early spring day at the University of Iowa (UI) campus in Iowa City, IA, that question and others were answered when UI chemical and biochemical engineering undergrads learned about the importance and rewards of working for the Federal Government. For many of the students, this was their first time learning about opportunities where they could help manage and oversee highly visible national defense programs, in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. David Murhammer, Professor and Department Executive Officer for the UI Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Program invited ECBC employees and UI alumni Olga Jennings, a Biochemical Engineer, and Shay Macias, an Industrial Engineer, to speak at the weekly Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Professional Seminar held in April. This seminar series serves as the University’s American Institute of Chemical Engineers student chapter. Engineering
Pictured above from left to right: Emily Zelnio, a current student in the UI Chemical Biochemical Engineering Program, and former ECBC IB student employee, Olga Jennings and Shay Macias, both current ECBC employees and UI Engineering Program Graduates. CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
To access the electronic version of this newsletter, visit: http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG/ APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
. .
2 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: pg. 1,3|ECBC Industrial Base Team Supports Professional Development of University of Iowa Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Undergraduate Students pg.4-6|Inside the Executive Officer Position: Current and former Engineering XOs interview each other on their experiences pg.7|ECBC Engineer Designs Curriculum for System Engineering and Project Management for the Center pg.8|ECBC Opens Doors to STEM Careers for Girls
Awareness: Interesting Facts about Independence Day In honor of Independence Day, The Engineering Edge shares some interesting Independence Day facts with our readers: • In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the United States was 2.5 million. The estimated U.S. population for July 2013 is 316.2 million. • Thomas Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, as did John Adams who also signed the Declaration of Independence. • Fifty-nine places contain the word “liberty” in the name. Pennsylvania, with 11, has more of these places than any other state. Of the 59 places nationwide containing “liberty” in the name, four are counties: Liberty County, Ga. (65,471), Liberty County, Fla. (8,276), Liberty County, Mont. (2,392) and Liberty County, Texas (76,571). • Barbecue is big on Independence Day, with more than 74 million Americans planning one. We eat around 150 million hot dogs and buy around 700 million pounds of chicken. • Fireworks are traditional on July 4th, but these were actually invented in China. The U.S. imported $232.3 million worth of fireworks in 2011. • The tune of the National Anthem was originally used by an English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven. Facts courtesy of ParkRideFly USA and Census.gov
Ask a Tech Tip: Staying Hydrated Mike Kauzlarich, of the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, reveals how the techniques and lessons learned in labs can help you solve your household problems. Submit a question to him at usarmy.APG.ecbc.mbx.engineering-directorate@mail.mil. Staying hydrated is important. Your body depends on water for survival – every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to function correctly. The military has spent millions of dollars looking at the best way to keep our Warfighters hydrated and able to stay in the fight. Here are some helpful tips they have learned along the way that will help you as well: This newsletter was published through the Balanced Scorecard. For article suggestions, questions or comments please contact Ed Bowen at edward.c.bowen8.civ@mail.mil
1. Water should be cool and NOT cold. Cold water slakes your thirst quickly because of the cold and you may not drink enough because of this effect. 2. Our soldiers are taught a simple method to check themselves during high activities. They look at the color of their urine as an indication of proper hydration, dark color is bad, light color is good. 3. Drink plenty of water well BEFORE high activity; by the time you are thirsty it’s too late. 4. Drink water frequently during hot weather even if you are not thirsty. While simply drinking plenty of water is best, it is also important to replace key electrolytes lost during activities. Theses electrolytes include sodium, zinc and potassium chloride. There are many types of electrolytic drink brands to replace key nutrients lost during sweating, but with this simple recipe you can make it yourself and save a few dollars. Combine the following ingredients. You can also add lemon and lime juice to the mixture. • 2 quarts of water • 1 teaspoon of baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon of salt • 2 tablespoons of sugar APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
• 1/2 teaspoon of a salt substitute for the potassium chloride or you can use the juice of one orange.
THE ENGINEERING EDGE | July 2013| 3
ECBC Industrial Base Team Supports Professional Development of University of Iowa Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Undergraduate Students CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 professionals from industry and academia are invited to speak at the weekly seminars to share their perspective on opportunities in the engineering field. Their input is used to help design the curriculum of the UI chemical biological program and to provide academia with consulting services and job shadow opportunities that prepare students for the real world environment. “In order to nourish our learning culture, it is essential that the ECBC IB Staff engages in the practices of knowledge generation and sharing with our local academia,” said ECBC Industrial Engineer, Shay Macias. Jennings, Macias, and Eric Hoover, Industrial Base Branch Chief, represented ECBC’s Industrial Base Team on the guest engineering panel. The panel briefly explained the organizational puzzle of the U.S. Army and how the chemicalbiological agencies and laboratories piece together to form a complete picture. The group discussed the Army’s mission, goals, chemical and biological equipment, and gave an overview of some Army engineering work. In addition, they discussed specifics about how ECBC’s IB Team fits into the Army and coordinates with inter-agency and Joint Service organizations. The panel encouraged the students to pursue career opportunities available within the Army, as well as in the other Federal Government Services and Agencies, which help to maintain the Nation’s leadership in science and technology in the fields of research, development, testing, quality and sustainment. The students were invited to explore information on scholarship options available on the USAJobs. com website, U.S. Army Research Laboratory scholarships webpage, ECBC’s public website and Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) outreach program. Following the ECBC presentation, a question and answer session was held, giving the students a chance to interact with and learn more about ECBC. The questions ranged from inquiries about the organization’s mission and chem-bio equipment, to requests for information regarding internships, career opportunities, salary scale and the application process for full-time employment. Several of the students also shared their current or past experiences in the military.
“In order to nourish our learning culture, it is essential that the ECBC IB Staff engages in the practices of knowledge generation and sharing with our local academia.” –Shay Macias, ECBC Industrial Engineer Over the years, other ECBC-RI personnel, who are past UI Alumni, have had the opportunity to meet and brief UI Chemical and Biochemical Engineering students on ECBC’s behalf. Several ECBC engineers have attended the UI’s career fairs for the purpose of educating and recruiting potential students. As a result of these events, recruited students have successfully completed internships with ECBC while obtaining their undergraduate degrees in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. ECBC IB Team’s synergistic approach to developing the current and future science and technology workforce enables the UI chemical and biochemical engineering students with an understanding and value of pursuing a rewarding career with the Federal Government.
ECBC kicks off its 6th Annual Back-to-School Drive! This fall, the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center is giving back to the community through its sixth annual Back to School Drive from July 8 until August 13 for military families located at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground. For additional information, please contact Outreach Specialist Jennifer Carroll at jennifer.j.carroll2.civ@mail.mil or at 410-436-5383.
Are you interested in becoming a mentor next school year? Are you interested in becoming a mentor next school year? ECBC’s Community and Educational Outreach Program can connect you with Edgewood Middle School students who are interested in improving their grades in math and science. Furthermore, ECBC helps students in Aberdeen High School’s Science and Math Academy, Bel Air High School’s Biomedical Sciences Program, Joppatowne High School’s Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program and Cecil County’s STEM Academy find a mentor who can help them with their senior capstone projects. For additional information, please contact ECBC Outreach Specialist Jennifer Carroll at jennifer.j.carroll2.civ@mail.mil or at 410-436-5383. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
4 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
Inside the Current and former
Duration of XO Tenure: November 2012-May 2013
Todd Nay
Previous position: ECBC Safety Office, Safety Engineer Little known fact: Todd and his wife were featured on HGTV’s “Bang for Your Buck” television show. While he and his wife won the television competition by creating the best renovations at a cheap price, the show did not award prizes for winning at that time, so they still went home empty handed.
On Work-Life Balance as an XO . . . “I shifted my hours slightly when I became an XO, but everyone in the front office understood that I had a family, because many of them do as well. When I started the position, the balance was a big worry of mine because I have two young kids and a wife who travels a lot. In the end it wasn’t an issue at all. The other XOs could also step in and help me handle some of the tasks.” –Todd Nay, former Engineering XO
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
“I have a one year old and a six year old. In my first week as XO, my one year old got really sick and I needed to be home with him. Leadership really understood the situation, and worked with me to be present at home while maintaining my momentum at work.” –Amy Maxwell, Current Engineering XO
THE ENGINEERING EDGE | July 2013| 5
Executive Officer Position: Engineering XOs interview each other on their experiences On a Thursday morning in June, former Engineering Directorate Executive Officer (XO) Todd Nay, and current Engineering Directorate XO Amy Maxwell discussed the rotational position over breakfast. The Engineering Edge was present to capture their perspectives on ECBC’s prestigious rotational program. Amy Maxwell (AM): How do you think the XO position benefitted your career? Todd Nay (TN): Since I came from Safety, I was already used to interacting with a lot of people so I think the XO position helped me in two ways. First off, it helped me develop better relationships with people within the Engineering Directorate. While I’ve worked with engineers before, I feel like I have a better relationship with the Engineering supervisors. Being back in the Safety office, I feel like now I know who to reach out to if I have a problem. In my current position, I’ve been able to reach out to supervisors who I’ve met through the XO program for help. Building that awareness and those relationships definitely made my job easier. The second benefit is that it has enhanced my presentation skills. As a safety engineer, I brief and send emails to senior leadership about safety issues. Having the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership for six months and attend their meetings, I have gotten a better sense of the type of information they want and types of questions I should anticipate. This allows me to tailor the presentation material to make sure it covers exactly what they need. AM: Would you say the XO position has expanded your network and visibility with ECBC and non-ECBC personnel? TN: It did expand my network, though primarily with supervisors. I also met several non-supervisors and had the opportunity to meet other people who directly support the leadership. I expanded my network
outside of ECBC as well. I attended multiple Joint Project Executive Office (JPEO) and Joint Program Manager (JPM) meetings, so I had the opportunity to meet people at that level. The XO position helped me get my foot in the door with both the PMs and the Engineering Directorate employees matrixed to them. As a result of my interactions with the JPEO and JPMs, I’m hoping to work closely with them to help them establish some safety programs. AM: How did the XO Program expand your knowledge of the Center and its capabilities? TN: Coming from the Safety Office, I had a good command of what the Center does. The biggest benefit from the XO position for me, was gaining an understanding of ECBC’s external relationships and competition, as well as understanding the kinds of things that management deals with every day. AM: If you could go back, is there anything that you would have changed about your time as XO? TN: One project I tried to accomplish was to schedule one-on-ones with the Division Chiefs. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet with all of them but made it to some. If I could go back, I would start the process of scheduling the one-on-ones with them sooner than I had, so that I could get to everybody. I also wish I had gotten the chance to schedule the same one-on-ones with branch chiefs. I met and talked to a few of them, but I wish I had gotten a little more personal interaction with them as well. AM: What advice would you give to me as a new XO? TN: Be deliberate with the Directorate leadership about goals that you want to achieve. In the Engineering Directorate, the leadership is intentional about helping you achieve the goals you set for yourself as an XO. They are very conscious about placing you in the right position to achieve whatever goals you may have. For me, I wanted to expand my network, so they helped me be able to attend the right meetings with them and interact with the best people. I really appreciate the opportunity they gave me to make the position something that I could greatly benefit from.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 6
Todd Nay (left) and Amy Maxwell (right) interview each other on their XO experience.
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
6 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
Inside the Executive Officer Position: Current and former Engineering XOs interview each other on their experiences CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Amy Maxwell
Duration of XO Tenure: May 2013-present Previous position: Project Management CBR Filtration Branch, Research and Technology Directorate Little known fact: Amy was a ballet dancer for 20 years, but then stopped when she had kids. Amy had been dancing since she was five years old doing ballet, dance, tap and many other forms of dance. While Amy has not danced in a while she would like to get back into it.
Todd Nay (TN): What position did you hold previous to the XO rotation? Amy Maxwell (AM): I was a member of the CBR Filtration Branch within the Research and Technology (R&T) Directorate. I was mainly in a project manager role over there. I ran a project that came in from research with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. I also do a lot of test and evaluation (T&E) work. Since I have a T&E background that is something I continue to do in my role. When I was initially brought onto the team, I worked on a test methodology standardization project that lasted five to six years. I occasionally worked in the lab, but that was not my primary function. I needed to get Dugway, Eglin, Air Force Research Lab, Natick and ECBC to work together to develop standard test methods. The six years this project took, accounted for most of my time with the Branch. I’ve done smaller projects in-between as well. Prior to working on the CBR Filtration Branch, I was an employee in the Engineering Directorate for three years. The transition between the two directorates was a bit of a learning curve but was not a total shock to me. While the management styles between the two directorates are pretty different, the expectation to deliver quality work is the same. Coming back to Engineering in the XO role is pretty different as well. I think the Directorate has changed a lot since the eight years I have been working in R&T. When I was in Engineering, there was no formalized strategic management process, there was different management, the projects were different and the budget situation was not what it was today. The changes keep things interesting though.
TN: What are your personal goals as an XO? AM: I would like to build my network back up again in the Joint Project Manager areas. I had that when I worked in Engineering, but it’s been so long I have not been able to maintain those relationships. I also wanted to gain insights into the functions of the Center: the budgeting, the people perspective and the Goal Teams. Through learning more about that, I can see where I might be able to support at a Center level. I would like to find ways to make an impact at the Center level. I think it might be rewarding for me and hopefully the Center. I also want to see if I can get more Center exposure to T&E. I found that many people don’t understand the critical methodology programs that we create at the Center-level. I’m hoping to have the opportunity to educate people on that. TN: Did you know any of the other XOs prior to your rotation? AM: I knew Kari Wiesner from when she worked at the Protective Factor chamber. I didn’t know Rich Wallace or Mike Mays at all. So, it was nice to meet new people, and see new faces. TN: Prior to ECBC where have worked? AM: I worked at Corning Incorporated for about two years, and I really liked the company, but the plant shut down. When I started there as a process engineer in 1999, the company was involved in the telecommunications industry working with optical fiber and producing amplifiers. In early 2001, investors in the telecommunications industry backed away, and the entire industry plummeted. Over several rounds, everybody in the plant was laid off. While the company asked several of us to return to other jobs, I decided to look for a job elsewhere. I liked the company, but with no ties to the area, I was ready for a change and ECBC has been a great fit.
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
THE ENGINEERING EDGE | July 2013| 7
ECBC Engineer Designs Curriculum for System Engineering and Project Management for the Center “When utilized, the ECBC COE for SE/PM will ensure projects at ECBC are properly planned, executed, and reviewed during the entire project lifecycle, thus increasing the probability of having a successful project in terms of cost, schedule, and performance. The ultimate goal is to ensure the principles and concepts of SE and PM are engrained in our culture.” Stephen Divarco, Ph.D was tasked with determining how Systems Engineering and Project Management are implemented at ECBC in accordance with IAW Policy #44.
I
n 2012, Research, Development Engineering Command (RDECOM) director, Dale Ormond signed a Memorandum called Policy #44. Policy #44 is based on Public Law 11123, which mandates early technical planning, reviews and rigorous Systems Engineering and Project Management principals to all projects. Particularly Science and Technology Projects (S&T), High Dollar Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) projects (>$25M) and all approved Technology Enabled Capability Demonstration (TECD) projects. To ensure that ECBC adheres to these requirements, Stephen Divarco, Ph.D from ECBC Rock Island was appointed ECBC’s Organizational Chief System Engineer (CSE). In this position, Divarco was tasked with the responsibly for determining how Systems Engineering and Project Management are implemented at ECBC in accordance with (IAW) Policy #44. “When I got appointed Chief Systems Engineer, I felt like it was a great fit and that I could do a lot in the role,” Divarco said. “I spent 15 years working for private industry as a mechanical and safety engineer planning and developing comprehensive grassroots Process Safety Management and Safety and Health Programs Petrochemical, Mining, Manufacturing, and Engineering Consulting industries. I’ve been with ECBC for nine years, five years of which I spent interfacing with Chief Systems Engineers from other RDECOM organizations.” Since his appointment, Dr. Divarco has worked diligently with RDECOM HQ personnel, other RDEC Organizational CSEs, and with various individuals within ECBC to develop a comprehensive Common Operating Environment for Systems Engineering and Project Management (COR SE/PM) that meets Policy #44 and that can be applied at ECBC. Divarco said that while Policy #44 was written to address the high visibility projects previously noted, the ECBC COE SE/PM has been specifically designed to be tailored for use to fit the complexity of all projects, regardless of size. That way, the Common Operating Environment not only addresses the Policy #44 requirements, but it can also be applied to other projects that fall outside the requirements, yet still warrant the application of Systems Engineering and Project Management.
- Stephen Divarco, Ph.D, ECBC Chief Systems Engineer
The ECBC COE for SE/PM is an approved set of six procedures, four detailed process maps with associated swim lanes and nine templates that were developed for execution across multiple functional areas. Since the application of the ECBC COE for SE/PM has no boundary limitations, it can be applied by all ECBC personnel at all ECBC Directorates. “When utilized, it will ensure projects at ECBC are properly planned, executed, and reviewed during the entire project lifecycle, thus increasing the probability of having a successful project in terms of cost, schedule, and performance. The ultimate goal is to ensure the principles and concepts of SE and PM are engrained in our culture,” said Divarco. In addition to the ECBC COE for SE/PM, Divarco has also prepared an eight hour (eight Continuous Learning Points), face to face, SE/PM Basic Course. This course fulfills four objectives: it provides a general understanding of SE and PM concepts, details the requirements of RDECOM Policy #44, details the ECBC COE for SE/PM, and provides case studies to illustrate the concepts learned throughout the course. Preparations have also begun to provide the SE/PM Basic Course as a self-paced, online option through the Total Employee Development website. Completion of either the face-to-face or online version of this Course will also satisfy certain requirements of Policy #44. According to Associate Director of Engineering, Bill Klein, “When utilized, it [ECBC COE for SE/PM] will ensure projects at ECBC are properly planned, executed, and reviewed during the entire project lifecycle, thus increasing the probably of having a successful project in terms of cost, schedule, and performance. The ultimate goal is to ensure the principles and concepts of SE and PM are engrained in our culture.” To ensure widest dissemination to the ECBC workforce, the ECBC COE for SE/PM (including the procedures, process maps, swim lanes, and training) is maintained at two electronic locations; Rock Island ECBC Online (https:// ecbconline.army.mil/Systems/Forms/AllItems.aspx) and Edgewood CB Connect (https://cbconnect.apgea.army.mil/ ENG/SEPM/Forms/Category.aspx).
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
8 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
ECBC Engineers Help Open Doors to STEM Careers for Girls
A
iming to excite local seventh-grade girls about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, subject matter experts from the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center recently supported Project DREAM Work’s Girls STEM Discovery Day at Harford Community College. ECBC collaborated with Project DREAM Work, a middle school initiative of Harford Community College, and the Women in Defense, Mid Atlantic Chapter, to engage 30 female Edgewood Middle School students in hands-on STEM experiences. “As the nation’s principal research and development resource for non-medical chemical and biological defense, it is ECBC’s mission to protect our Warfighters and the nation against potential CB threats,” said Suzanne Milchling, Director of Program Integration at ECBC. “But, it is also our responsibility to help prepare today’s students for the jobs of tomorrow to ensure we have access to a pool of STEM professionals who are able to tackle complex problems through cutting-edge solutions.” She continues to explain that “with men still outnumbering women in most STEM career fields, it is critical that we encourage the girls in our community to consider future STEM career pathways. Therefore, our community and educational outreach program focuses on developing a diverse and highly skilled STEM talent pool in our community.” Scientists and engineers, who work at ECBC to keep our Warfighters and the nation safe against CB threats, participated in this initiative to spark girls’ interest in pursuing a STEM career pathway. Funded by the National Defense Education Program, they conducted two interactive workshops that reinforced the real-world application of STEM concepts. ECBC Research Biologists Jody and Mark Gostomski revealed their subject matter expertise during a workshop lesson
coined ‘Fascination DNA.’ In a laboratory setting, female seventh-graders had the opportunity to perform agarose gel electrophoresis, a common forensic technique used in DNA fingerprinting. ‘Lemon Power’ was another compelling hands-on workshop that ECBC Engineering Protective Equipment Test Branch (PET) Chief Mary McNally and PET chemical engineer Mark Ciampaglio provided to relay the relevance of electrical engineering in the real world. Students were challenged to design, build and test a circuit while using lemons, potatoes and limes as batteries. Two additional STEM workshops included ‘Soil Forensics’ presented by Morgan Minyard, Ph.D. from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office and ‘A Berry Full of DNA’ by Lauren McNew from the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and CommunicationsTactical (PEO C3T). After the workshop sessions, Gostomski, McNally, McNew and Milchling served as lunch panelists to inform the young female audience about STEM careers in the defense community. “Project DREAM Work’s Girls STEM Discovery Day aims to prepare female students for future STEM career pathways in their backyard,” said Project DREAM Work Program Director Mindy Costanzo-Romero. “Our partnership with ECBC and WID enabled us to bring in Army scientists and engineers, who shared the rewarding nature of their careers with the girls and gave them an understanding of various skill sets required to succeed as a STEM professional.”
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1) Edgewood Middle School students conduct gel electrophoresis during an ECBC hands-on STEM experience called ‘Fascination DNA’. 2) ECBC Supervisory Chemist Mary McNally, ECBC Research Biologist Jody Gostomski, PEO-C3T Assistant Program Manager Lauren McNew and ECBC Director of Program Integration Suzanne Milchling share insights about careers in the defense community during a panel discussion. 3) ECBC scientists challenge Edgewood Middle School students to change chemical energy into electrical energy while building lemon batteries. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE