LANL Feynman Center Researchers McDonald and Witkowski Earn National Technology Transfer Awards

Kathleen McDonald and Marc Witkowski, senior commercialization managers at Los Alamos National Laboratory's Feynman Center for Innovation, received national awards Wednesday from the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, recognizing work that spans nuclear licensing to advanced membrane technology.

McDonald earned the Outstanding Technology Transfer Professional Award, cited for her leadership in licensing and partnership development across nuclear, fusion and national security technologies. Witkowski received the Excellence in Technology Transfer Award for advancing the Ion Pair Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) technology, a materials innovation with potential applications in energy systems.

"These recognitions show how strong partnerships and thoughtful licensing help turn scientific discovery into real-world capability," said Melissa Fox, senior director of the Lab's Partnerships and Pipeline Office. "Technology transfer is a critical part of delivering mission impact for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)."

The FLC represents federal laboratories across the country and presents its national awards annually to recognize exceptional work moving government-funded research into commercial and public use. McDonald and Witkowski will receive their awards in person May 13 at the FLC National Meeting in Seattle.

The Feynman Center for Innovation serves as LANL's primary hub for intellectual property licensing, startup formation, and partnership development, connecting the Lab's scientific output to industry and government partners. The work recognized in both awards reflects the Lab's broader push to ensure that research funded through the NNSA produces tangible benefits beyond the national security mission itself.