Derek F Hopkins
Senior Research Scientist, WR Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Instrument Development Laboratoryhttp://emslbios.pnl.gov/id/hopkins_df Updated: April 27, 2012
Current Activities and Projects
Derek Hopkins is an accomplished software developer whose software is widely used throughout EMSL. Modular software design has enabled widespread adoption of software based on a common, robust backplane to interface hardware and automate scientific experiments. Hopkins’ software has been used to integrate systems as diverse as specialized surface science instruments, automated liquid chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, an R&D 100 award-winning combined confocal and magnetic resonance microscope, a micro-pulse light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system, and an automation for a custom solar spectrometer used in atmospheric chemistry research.
Research Interests
Hopkins’ primary focus and interest within EMSL is the area of laboratory automation and process control, where he continues to contribute to projects such as the STORM microscope. His work outside of EMSL includes identification friend or foe (IFF) and the waste tank mixing project.
Past Experience
- Senior Research Scientist, EMSL, 2001-present
- Research Scientist, PNNL, 1991-2001
Education
- B.S., Computer Science, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 1991
- B.S., Engineering Physics-Computer Applications, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 1987
Awards, Honors, & Appointments
- PNNL Key Contributor Award, 2000, 2005, 2011
- PNNL Software Creator Award 1996, 2002, 2011
- PNNL Outstanding Performance Awards, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008
- Featured on the cover of Scientific Computing and Instrumentation Journal, April 2004; September 2005
- Finalist for the National Instruments Paper Contest at NIWeek, 2003
