Dr. Tony van Buuren serves as the Deputy Associate Director (DAD) for Science & Technology (S&T) in the Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, a position he has held since April 2021. In this role, Tony serves as a member of the PLS senior management team and advises the AD, PDAD, division leaders, program leaders, and institute and center directors on strategies to develop and sustain critical scientific capabilities. He also provides directorate-level oversight and direction for the PLS Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program portfolio, coordinates with the PDAD and AD on the broader internal investment strategy, manages quality assurance for and assessment of the directorate’s scientific staff and research products, and develops external science programs in coordination with PLS divisions and staff as well as the PLS Strategic Science Engagements Office (SSEO).

Tony has a PhD in Physics from the University of British Columbia. He joined the Laboratory in 1995 as a postdoctoral fellow. His research focuses on advanced materials characterization with an emphasis on in situ/operando determination of the electronic, surface, and microstructural properties of porous, functional, and manufactured materials. Tony served as Group Leader of the Nanoscale Integration Science and Technology Group from 2008 to 2015. In 2015, he was named Deputy Division Leader for S&T by the Materials Science Division. He also serves as Associate Program Lead for Energy Materials in the Global Security Directorate and SSEO Co-Lead.