BOONE—Zach Russell and Donovan Leonard have been recognized by the Appalachian Regional Microscopy Society (AReMS).

Russell, a senior physics major at Appalachian State University, received the society’s Willmarth Research Award for his poster presentation “Characterization and Simulation of a Carbon Nanotube-based Micro Mass Spectrometer.”

Appalachian State University assistant physics professor Donovan Leonard, left, and senior physics major Zach Russell were recognized by the Appalachian Regional Microscopy Society for their use of microscopy in their research or projects. They are pictured in the focused ion beam nanofabrication lab in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. (Photo by University Photographer Marie Freeman)

The award recognizes a student who has demonstrated expertise in the use of microscopy as a
significant tool in a research topic or project, and/or problem-solving situation. The award is named for the late Ted Willmarth, who was a well-known microscopist and a distinguished
member of the society.

Russell’s project focuses on using the technology and physics principles of mass spectrometry to develop a hand-held unit that could be used in the field to analyze chemical compounds.

The poster competition held at the society’s annual fall meeting in October included entries by students from Appalachian, University of Virginia-Wise, Forsyth Technical Community College, N.C. State University and UNC Chapel Hill.

Leonard, an assistant professor in Appalachian’s Department of Physics, received AReMS’ Outstanding Young Investigator Award. The award recognizes researchers and faculty members from the region who are in the early years of their career and who have demonstrated expertise in the use of microscopy as a significant tool in their area of research.

He joined the physics faculty at Appalachian in 2007. His research involves the study of the chemical composition, size and shape of nanomaterials.

This year’s conference was held in Boone. It drew attendees from UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. State University, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt University, Centers for Disease Control, Clemson University, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Eastman Chemical Company.
AReMS is a society of scientists, engineers, educators, professionals and students with interests in microscopy of any type including optical, electron, ion and scanned probe microscopy.
The society is a regional affiliate of the Microscopy Society of America and the Microbeam Analysis Society.