Nyaradzo Longinaker, a statistician advisor in the federal civilian division of General Dynamics Information Technology, was honored as the Most Promising Scientist in Industry during the 2021 BEYA STEM Conference. The award recognizes a scientist with three to ten years in the workforce who demonstrates the potential for future scientific contributions in his or her field.

Nyaradzo’s research on COVID-19 has been key to assisting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in understanding the effects of COVID19 in nursing facilities. In 2020, she authored a full research manuscript on opioid prescribing to Medicare beneficiaries. And she still finds time to tutor and volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

Air Force Research Laboratory research biological scientist Dr. Candice Hatcher-Solis from the 711th Human Performance Wing received the Most Promising Scientist in Government Award.

Dr. Hatcher-Solis is the leader of the Neurobiology of Cognitive Performance Team in the Performance Optimization Branch, Airman Biosciences Division, Airman Systems Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Currently, she manages a research team at the Air Force Research Labs that studies the underlying mechanisms for the effects of stress and neuromodulation on the brain.

She conducts basic science research using rodent models that allow invasive tissue isolation and electrophysiology procedures that are not possible in humans. Dr. Hatcher-Solis’s research answers fundamental questions for the Air Force including how brain stimulation affects protein expression and how brain stimulation affects learning and memory through changes in synaptic plasticity. S

She also serves on the board for Air Force Women in Science and Engineering. Dr. Hatcher-Solis has published in highly cited peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

“Her distinguished accomplishments utilizing cognitive enhancement technologies and interventions are worthy of this honor because of their unique and important contributions, not only to the Air Force and Department of Defense missions but to the field of Cognitive Neuroscience,” said Kevin Geiss, SES (federal Senior Executive Service)