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Sandia National Laboratories’ Tian Ma recently received the SASE Professional Achievement Award, in part for his work in remote sensing systems. (Randy Montoya/ Sandia Labs)

Daniel Richardson, left, a mechanical engineer in Sandia National Laboratories’ diagnostic sciences, and Yibin Zhang, a postdoctoral fellow, observe a laser that records measurements in the hypersonic wind tunnel.

The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers has named Sandia National Laboratories its 2020 Organization of the Year in the government category.

The award is for a “longstanding commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace,” according to a news release.

“It is evident that Sandia National Laboratories embodies the very reason SASE created this award category, and we are proud to bestow upon the organization this high honor,” said Khánh Vu, SASE executive director in a congratulatory award letter from the society, in a statement.

According to Sandia Labs Director James S. Peery, noted that being honored for cultural diversity has “special meaning to me and to the thousands of people who work at Sandia Labs.”

In addition, Sandia scientist Tian J. Ma – who for 17 years has specialized in remote sensing research and development – was honored with SASE’s 2020 Professional Achievement Award for mid-career professionals who have made significant discoveries and important advances in their chosen career paths.

Ma also has served as the co-chair and chair for the past 10 years of the Asian Leadership Outreach Committee at Sandia.

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