Pacific Northwest National Laboratory chemist Julia Laskin has received the Biemann Medal, the highest honor granted to a young scientist by the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.

Laskin's work on analysis of complex molecules and the way they react when they collide earned the international award presented Tuesday at the society's annual conference in Denver.

Mike Kluse, director of the Richland lab, said Laskin is a leader in research important to the Department of Energy in developing biomaterials and biological processes for clean energy production. He said her work as a chief scientist is important to understanding the role of complex molecules in biofuels, petroleum and aerosols.

"Her accomplishments exemplify the dedication and impact of our outstanding young scientists," Kluse said.

Laskin also received the Department of Energy's Office of Science Early Career Scientist and Engineer and the Presidential Early Career Achievement Award in fall 2007. She has a master's degree in physics from the Physico-Mechanical Division of the Leningrad Polytechnical Institute in Russia in 1990, and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel in 1998. Laskin joined PNNL as a postdoctoral research associate in 2000 and earned the laboratory's M.T. Thomas Award for outstanding postdoctoral achievement in 2002.

Laskin's work is funded by DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences and takes place at the William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE scientific user facility at PNNL. EMSL is one of the world's foremost resources for mass spectrometry experts and instruments.