Benjamin T. Manard Honored as the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy

January 2025—Spectroscopy magazine is pleased to announce that Benjamin T. Manard, Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been named the recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award. This recognition highlights Manard’s pioneering contributions to nuclear material characterization and isotope ratio analysis, leveraging advanced atomic spectrometry techniques. The award will be presented at the 20th European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in Berlin, Germany, March 2–7, 2025, where Manard will deliver a keynote lecture. In this lecture Manard is expected to share insights from his research highlighting the future of atomic spectroscopy in nuclear material applications.

Courtesy of Benjamin T. Manard

The Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award, established in 2017, celebrates the achievements and promise of talented young scientists in the field. Manard was selected by an independent scientific committee for his exceptional research and innovative methodologies that have significantly advanced atomic spectroscopy, particularly in nuclear forensics and environmental monitoring.

Manard earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Georgia Southern University in 2009 and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Clemson University in 2014 under the guidance of R. Kenneth Marcus. After completing a Glenn T. Seaborg Postdoctoral Fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he joined ORNL in 2018. Since then, he has focused on developing and implementing state-of-the-art inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and laser ablation techniques for nuclear material analysis. Marcus, the Robert Adger Bowen Professor of Chemistry at Clemson University said, “He has developed an incredible depth of expertise in methods of sample introduction and instrumental methods for elemental and isotopic determinations of elements in nuclear materials/matrices.”

Manard’s work has centered on nuclear material characterization, isotope ratio analysis, and nuclear forensics—key areas for global security and environmental protection. His expertise spans ICP-OES, MS, sector-field mass spectrometry, and laser ablation. One of his most notable achievements is the development of a tandem technique combining laser ablation–ICP-MS with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for uranium particle analysis. This groundbreaking method, published in Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, enhances the accuracy and efficiency of nuclear safeguards and forensic investigations.

In another pivotal study in Applied Spectroscopy, Manard’s team addressed the challenges of uranium analysis using automated ion chromatography, significantly reducing spectral interferences and improving trace element detection in complex nuclear matrices. Manard has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has an h-index of 24, reflecting his influence in the field. His research has been featured on multiple journal covers, underscoring its importance to the scientific community. Beyond his research, Manard is deeply committed to advancing the field through mentorship and service. He co-founded the Society for Applied Spectroscopy’s Atomic Spectroscopy Student Award and has played a pivotal role in organizing the SciX Conference’s Atomic Section.

Richard E. Russo, senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for 38 years, and founder/CEO of Applied Spectra for 18 years said of Manard, “Ben is a leader by his strength of character as well as his credentials. He has a genuine commitment to the profession and to his colleagues.”

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Founded in 1986, Spectroscopy delivers peer-reviewed articles, expert insights, and the latest developments and applications in analytical spectroscopy. Through its print publication, digital platforms, and multimedia content, it serves a global community of readers, including scientists, academics, and industry professionals. The journal is indexed in Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports, and the DOI system, ensuring wide recognition and accessibility.

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