Dr. Roderick Jackson has received several awards during his career, including the National GEM Consortium Alum of the Year. He has also made the “Knox dot biz 40 Under 40” list (formerly the Greater Knoxville Business Journal’s 40 under 40), which recognizes professionals who are making a difference in East Tennessee. This February, Jackson will receive the Professional Achievement in Government Award at the 36th annual BEYA STEM Conference in Washington D.C.

The Professional Achievement Award is given to a mid-career professional who has made significant discoveries and important advances in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and is acknowledged as a leader of large STEM initiatives.

As the laboratory program manager for buildings research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Jackson sets the strategic agenda for the building portfolio while working with senior laboratory management. He is recognized as a Distinguished Member of the Research Staff.

“Although I was initially a mentor for Roderick, he has taught me a great deal, not only about building science and impactful research but also how fortunate we are to have such a champion for making this world better for all,” said Dr. Johney Green, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Jackson came to NREL from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was the group manager for building envelope systems research. He was at the forefront of connected communities research, leading an effort that established Alabama Power’s Smart Neighborhood.

Currently, he is serving an appointment to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy(ACEEE) Research Advisory Board, which began in 2021. He is also a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.