Researcher

 

Dr. Donna J. O'Kelly is the director of the Analytical Research Laboratories at Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex. She also serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Materials and Fuels Complex. Prior to her arrival at INL, Dr. O’Kelly was the group leader for the Elemental Measurement Science Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

With experience in academia as a laboratory manager and a research scientist, Dr. O’Kelly now provides management for facilities that characterize and fabricate new nuclear fuel, as well as examine nuclear fuels and materials after irradiation. Under Dr. O’Kelly, the Analytical Laboratory provides the chemical, radiochemical, physical, and other analytical data needed for various research and engineering development programs and for applied research and engineering development activities in support of advanced nuclear fuel design, waste management, environmental, and other INL programs. In addition, Dr. O’Kelly has served as the president of the INL Women in Leadership group since 2016.

Dr. O’Kelly earned her doctorate in nuclear chemistry from Texas A&M University and holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.