David Miller, Ph.D., Senior Fellow for Process Systems Engineering at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), was among the elite researchers selected for the 2020 cohort of the Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program (OSELP).

Miller joins 17 other nominees from different U.S Department of Energy (DOE) national labs and academic institutions around the nation. The backgrounds and roles of the cohort are diverse and include technical group leaders, a department head, center director, division director, among others.

Miller and the other participants will have a rare opportunity to study the national lab system in its entirety, engage deeply with senior leadership as well as essential academic and industry partners, while exploring innovative ways to improve collective research enterprises. The 2020 cohort will join a growing network of Oppenheimer Fellows committed to furthering the mission of DOE and the labs.

As part of the 2020 cohort, Miller and the other Oppenheimer Fellows will participate in a series of training site visits during the one-year program at the national labs and DOE, covering the spectrum of DOE’s missions and operations. They’ll also collaborate on the development of “think-pieces” aimed at tackling major organizational, policy, scientific, and other challenges confronting the national lab system. These are to be accomplished over the course of five multi-day site visits and a capstone event with expenses paid by each cohort member’s respective institution.

As an NETL senior fellow, Miller leads the development of new program areas and cooperative initiatives to address large-scale emerging energy challenges. He is also the founder and technical director for the Institute for the Design of Advanced Energy Systems (IDAES), a collaborative initiative that supports the DOE’s enduring strategic objectives of energy security, economic competitiveness and environmental responsibility while also leveraging the specialized expertise of partners from multiple national labs and universities.

Since its inception, the computational platform has expanded to support multiple DOE areas thanks to Miller’s dedication and outreach. For instance, IDAES serves as the foundation for the modeling and simulation component of a new Advanced Manufacturing Office-funded water desalination hub.

In his current and previous roles, Miller has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to identify opportunities for strategic unification and collaboration, facilitating an efficient and cost-effective approach toward addressing significant research questions. His recent successes include:

• Planning and executing a workshop for DOE’s applied offices and labs to develop a collaborative research and development program on integrated energy systems.
• Advancing a fossil energy integration and optimization initiative that addresses grid resiliency and energy security by holistically evaluating grid, pipeline and generation infrastructure.
• Organizing an NETL-led initiative to coordinate efforts across labs and universities to address program goals while also developing NETL capabilities in coal-based carbon materials manufacturing.

NETL Director Brian Anderson said Miller’s accomplishments during his time at the Lab are self-evident.

“Dr. Miller is a visionary leader who has spearheaded the planning and execution of internationally recognized energy research initiatives, such as the award-winning Carbon Capture Simulation Initiative, to support the establishment of sustainable clean energy systems,” he said. “He also has a distinguished reputation as a role model for young scientists and engineers, having motivated and mentored more than a dozen graduate students, post-graduate researchers and interns.”

Anderson also expressed high hopes for Miller’s work going forward as a member of the 2020 OSELP cohort.

“His participation will enhance NETL’s prominence and visibility and contribute to the Lab’s future work thanks to his unique role in promoting collaboration and guiding the Lab’s research endeavors,” Anderson said.