Cava Group’s Denver Strong a DOE Awardee

Denver Paul Strong, a fourth-year graduate student with the Cava Group, has received a Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program award.

One of 44 graduate students from 36 universities across the country to be honored, Strong was selected in the Materials Sciences and Chemistry for Microelectronics section for his project, Defect Dependent Properties of Zintl Phase Magnetic Topological Insulators (MTIs). Selection was based on merit review by external scientific experts.

“This project is a part of my overall thesis, where I’m attempting to understand the implications of metal-metal bonding on various aspects of the physical properties of materials,” said Strong. “I am very happy with this award, but I can’t take all the credit. Professor Robert Cava and the collaborating scientist, Dr. Andrew May of Oak Ridge, helped a lot with the process.”

The DOE SCGSR program plays an important role in sustaining a pipeline for highly skilled scientific and technological workforce development through graduate research opportunities at DOE national laboratories. The goal is to prepare graduate students for STEM careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission through extended residency at DOE national laboratories.

Strong has been selected to pursue his research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Provisions are made for three- to 12-month residencies.

“The Department of Energy is committed to growing the American science and technology workforce,” said Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, director of the DOE Office of Science. “SCGSRs are one way we contribute to nurturing the incredible talent and curiosity in students from all walks of life to meet the great scientific challenges of the world.

“I know the future is bright for these students, and I’m honored that the Department of Energy can be a part of their stories.”