ORAU: Then & Now
ORAU: Then & Now is an excellent resource to explore how our people, programs, and partnerships are driving meaningful impact, serving our nation, and enhancing global competitiveness in areas such as STEM education, workforce solutions, exposure science, health education, disaster preparedness, forensic science, and more.
Discover our rich history, which traces back to the Manhattan Project during World War II, and learn how we continue to address critical national needs in science, health, and education.
Learn about the life and career of Clarence Lushbaugh, who made a huge impact in new methods of radiation safety.
Our story is built around the lifecycle of scientific and technical workers—a broad range of STEM and technical professionals—and encompasses five distinct phases: discovery, development, connection, support and strengthening.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an observance that promotes screening starting at age 45 to prevent colorectal cancer or catch cancer early. Here's why I’m passionate about this issue.
The 2026 Tennessee Science Bowl is in the books, and Farragut High School—Team One—is the reigning champion. Since 1991, high school students across the state have gathered on a February Saturday to go head-to-head in a quiz-show-style competition to test their knowledge in biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy and math.
According to Lee Riedinger, a retired University of Tennessee physics professor, ORAU has been a vital link in the connection between UT and Oak Ridge since the sunsetting of the Manhattan Project after World War II. In fact, he wrote a book about this history.
Luke Fountain, Ph.D., a third-year NASA Postdoctoral (NPP) Fellow, is determining how astronauts can best grow food in space as part of the space crop production team at Kennedy Space Center.
While STEM-focused and other professional careers continue to be vital to the future of our nation, there has been a growing recognition and renewed focus on the critical role of skilled trades and technical workers in driving innovation and supporting essential industries for our country as well.