Amber Guckes wins the PECASE award

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Amber Guckes, who was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) on January 15, 2025! For winning the PECASE award, Amber will receive a research grant worth $250,000 over a five-year period while employed within the complex.

Founded in 1996, the PECASE award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding early career scientists and engineers and is meant to honor their exceptional innovation and leadership. This year, nearly 400 professionals across 14 agencies were recognized for their work, with Amber representing the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration.

Guckes was given the PECASE award for her research on developing next-generation current mode radiation detectors for Stockpile Stewardship applications. This includes her work on the Multi-Layered Avalanche Diamond (MAD) detector, which she first developed as a principal investigator for a 2019 Site-Directed Research and Development project.

The MAD detector examines charge multiplication in thin, single crystal chemical vapor deposition diamond to yield a fast neutron detector. Since its inception, it has helped to support the NNSS’ Stockpile Stewardship mission and Neutron Diagnosed Subcritical Experiment program by acting as an in-beam detector to improve the performance of the NNSS’ dense plasma focus. Amber will be able to use the PECASE grant money to work on maturing the MAD detector’s design through further research.

In addition to honoring Amber’s scientific and technical work, the PECASE award recognizes her efforts to connect with students through STEM outreach programs. Amber began her own career with the NNSS as an intern and strives to give young people the same early experiences with STEM that she received. To that end, she works with students through the Nevada Afterschool Network’s NV Flight Crew initiative, NNSS Student Programs, Brigham Young University Engineering capstone student teams, NNSA Stewardship Science Academic Programs, Nevada Science Bowl, and the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada. Her goal is to inspire young people to pursue a STEM career in their futures.

“To receive this award is an incredibly humbling experience, but also serves as a testament to my passion for advancing nuclear technologies, especially through our mission, and getting to help other technical staff develop that same passion and make breakthroughs in nuclear technologies,” said Amber. “It is a privilege to represent the NNSS.”

Congratulations again to Dr. Amber Guckes. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments at the NNSS and can’t wait to see what you do next!