Great Minds in STEM celebrates two Sandia engineers

Sandia systems engineer Kenneth Armijo has been named a 2021 Most Promising Engineer-Ph.D. at the Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference. Sandia mechanical engineer Michael Omana was named a 2021 Most Promising Scientist-Master’s Degree at the conference.

Kenneth, who holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering, leads molten salt, molten alkali metals and high-voltage arc-fault research and development at Sandia’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility. He also serves as an expert for molten salts, alkali metals, arc-fault safety technologies and reentry high-flux and high-temperature materials research and development for DOE and DOD programs.

Michael, a mechanical engineer and aerosol and filtration scientist, has spent the past year-plus serving as an aerosol and filtration science subject matter expert for numerous COVID-19 response efforts, while working with teams across the Labs and in industry on personal protective equipment development and testing.

Great Minds in STEM recognized both awardees at its annual conference in October. Each was selected from among the top candidates submitted in all professional categories as leaders working in any area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, who model the technical excellence and leadership that significantly impact an industry, a field of science or engineering, academia, the Hispanic community and the nation.

“Kenneth and Michael represent the best of Sandia National Laboratories both in their professional pursuits and their personal efforts to cultivate the next generation of STEM scientists within the Hispanic community,” said Tobie Webb, acting senior manager and chief diversity officer at Sandia. “Their recognition is well-earned.”

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