• 2018 HENAAC Luminary •

Dr. Mark Rodriguez is a Principal Member of the Technical Staff in the Materials Characterization and Performance Department at Sandia National Laboratories.  He’s also an internationally known expert on ceramics, and he’s responsible for X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence characterization of new materials, specializing in “in-situ” diffraction analysis.  In his 24 years at Sandia, he has published over 250 technical papers, authored two book chapters, and has been granted eight patents: five issued and three pending.

Dr. Rodriguez’s prominence in his field is demonstrated by his work as Session Chair at the annual Denver X-ray Conference, an international scientific meeting for the advancement of X-ray analysis techniques.  At this yearly event, he’s taught multiple workshops and has served as Session Chair for Energy-related research that employs X-ray characterization.

Dr. Rodriguez has been lauded for his groundbreaking work on the development and commissioning of the High-Pressure Preferred Orientation neutron spectrometer at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Centre. Named a Fellow of the International Centre for Diffraction Data for his innovative work, he currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors’ Technical Committee, and the Sub-Committee Chair for X-ray Fluorescence – all while continuing as an Instructor for the XRD-I Clinic.

Among the many honors he’s received are the Advanced Technology Development program award for his development of in-situ X-ray characterization methods for battery cathode materials; the Meritorious Achievement award for addressing hermetic seal failures; and the Award of Excellence for his outstanding contribution to the Micron NCAICM project.

Dr. Rodriguez earned his B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University where he received the Major Holmes Thesis Award for his work on synthesis and characterization of superconducting materials.  He returned to Alfred University to pursue his Ph.D.  Prior to his first full-time staff appointment, he worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at Sandia and in the Geology Department at Princeton University.

Born of Mexican ancestry in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Rodriguez gives back to his community through his work with MANOS, HOLA, and Sandia’s Community Involvement Department. He is also a soccer coach for a team in Albuquerque’s American Youth Soccer Organization.