Clarice Phelps

Clarice joined ORNL in 2009, first working as a nuclear operations technician at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center, processing and purifying radioisotopes. In 2010, she began working for the Nuclear Security and Isotope Technology Division, where she was part of a team that helped purify the isotope berkelium-249, which was used to confirm the discovery of element 117, later named Tennessine, on the periodic table. She later served as program manager for the Ni-63 and Se-75 industrial use isotope programs and as the principal investigator for the Radiation Signature Training Device Program. She currently serves as the principal investigator for the production and processing of Pm-147 from irradiated Nd-146 project. Clarice is a member of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), American Nuclear Society (ANS), the American Chemical Society (ACS), National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE), as well as serving on ORNL's African American Resource Council (AARC). She has been notably recognized as the first Black woman involved in the discovery of an element. She has given talks for National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), as well as serving as an invited keynote speaker at Gonzaga University, Valdosta State University, Wayne State University, Wichita State University, Tennessee State University, The University of TN- Knoxville, and the TN Science Bowl. She has made appearances on several Podcasts, as well as the “What You Need to Know” show with Sybil Wilkes, the “Stay A While Show” with Tommi Vincent, several Facebook live shows, CNN, the Drew Barrymore Show, and recently as a guest on “The Talk” which airs on CBS. Clarice has taught, as a special instructor, at the Project G.R.A.D. (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) Summer institute for high school students involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) programs. She has been a guest instructor on the basics of Nuclear Engineering and radiochemistry at Pellissippi State Community College’s Academic Summit and serves as an adjunct professor teaching radiochemistry in the newly developed chemical radiation technician career pathway at PSCC. She has been involved with after-school educational programs at Austin-East Magnet High School in association with A1 Learning Connections, and is a board member and vice president for the nonprofit YO-STEM. Clarice has also volunteered at Knox County Career Fairs for middle school students, Science Expos and traveling science fairs sponsored by ORNL, and the 2015 National Nuclear Science Week. She is a former vice president of the Knoxville graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA) and was the Southeastern Regional Registration Chairman for AKA’s 88th Southeastern Regional Conference. She is also an active member of the Knoxville Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.