NIST Picks Materials Engineer Joannie Chin to Lead Engineering Laboratory

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has named Joannie Chin as the acting director of its Engineering Laboratory, an organization dedicated to supporting national competitiveness in engineered systems.

The Engineering Laboratory promotes innovation in areas such as materials and structural systems, energy and environment, fire research, intelligent systems and systems integration, according to its website.

The laboratory also has programs focused on advancing measurement science for infrastructure renewal, building performance and energy efficiency, advanced manufacturing and resilience against disasters, NIST said Monday.

As the laboratory’s new chief, Chin will be responsible for a budget of approximately $83 million and a staff of 400.

James Olthoff, an official performing the non-exclusive duties of the undersecretary of commerce for standards and technology and NIST director, said Chin is an expert researcher who has the skills needed to lead the laboratory in addressing national challenges.

Chin has been with NIST for 26 years and has led research on the durability of materials used in construction. She holds the patent for NIST’s integrating sphere-based weathering device, which earned her the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal in 2002, according to NIST’s profile of her.

Prior to joining NIST in 1995 as a materials research engineer, Chin served as a research scientist at Gould, as a research associate at Virginia Tech chemistry department and as a post-doctoral research associate at the university’s materials science department.

She earned a master of science in chemistry and a doctor of philosophy in materials engineering science from Virginia Tech as well as a bachelor of science in polymer science and engineering from Case Western Reserve University.