LEONARD WESLEY GRAY, PHD Retired Chief Scientist Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Hernando, FL https://tinyurl.com/3dczhnpx Dedicating himself to the field of chemistry for over half a century, Dr. Leonard Wesley Gray initially retired from his role as the chief scientist for the U.S.-Russian Plutonium Disposition Program at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2006. Previously, he gained valuable expertise in the nuclear weapons industry as a staff chemist with the Savannah River National Laboratory and the Savannah River Plant. After his initial retirement, Dr. Gray continued to work halftime, mainly as a mentor for numerous young scientists and engineers and documenting information on the Worldwide Processing of Plutonium. He was also chairman of the Plutonium Experts Panel, leading work in the relatively new field of plutonium forensics to develop technical information for plutonium processing signatures for the various flow sheets used around the world. Outside his work, Dr. Gray dedicated himself to his community through the First Baptist Churches of Inverness and North Augusta and Trinity Baptist Church of Livermore, serving on the Deacon Board of Baptist Churches of North Augusta and Livermore. His service at North Augusta included two mission trips to Iringa, Tanzania. He also served one term as president of the board of trustees of Trinity Baptist Church. He also served as president of the Augusta Reading Foundation, which operated a school for learning-disabled children, and is a member of Gideons International. Dr. Gray also maintained professional alignment with the American Chemical Society and the American Nuclear Society. Before embarking on his professional journey, Dr. Gray earned an Associate of Arts from Middle Georgia College, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and a Master of Science in chemistry from Texas Tech University. Subsequently, he expanded his professional knowledge, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in inorganic chemistry from the University of South Carolina in 1972. Throughout his career, Dr. Gray was honored many times, including earning the Glenn T. Seaborg Actinide Separation Award in 2002. One of the biggest things that helped my progression was giving credit to people working with me.
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