Dr. David Pittman, director of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, has been named Federal Laboratory Director of the Year by the Federal Laboratory Consortium.

Also, four ERDC researchers have received the FLC’s 2011 Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer.

Drs. Steve Larson and Victor Medina and Andy Martin, all of the Environmental Laboratory, and Dr. Kent Newman of the GSL were recognized for their report called “Biopolymer Alternatives to Petroleum-based Polymers for Soil Modification.”

Pittman’s ERDC career began in 1983 as a research civil engineer. After leaving for three years to teach at Auburn University, he returned in 1997. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s in civil engineering from Mississippi State and a doctorate in the same from the University of Texas at Austin.

Larson, a research chemist and leader of the Inorganics Remediation Team, has a bachelor’s in chemistry from Davidson College and a doctorate in inorganic and physical chemistry from Colorado State. Newman, a research physical scientist in the Airfields and Pavements branch, has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master’s in the same from the University of New Mexico and a doctorate in polymer science from USM.

Martin, chief of the Environmental Engineering branch, has a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Purdue and a master’s in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois. Medina, an environmental engineer and leader for the Environmental Security and Engineering Team, has a bachelor’s in geology from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s and doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Southern California.

The FLC is a nationwide network organized in 1974 and formally chartered in 1986. It has in its membership more than 250 federal laboratories and centers. ERDC conducts research in military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation.