Her career, which spans over five decades, is defined by her deep dedication to innovation and excellence.
HAYWARD, CA, November 11, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Oana M. Leonte has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected based on current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Leonte has distinguished herself as a leading figure in the field of chemical engineering. Her career, which spans over five decades, is defined by her deep dedication to innovation and excellence. Currently serving as the director of research at Berkeley Polymer Technology since 2010, she has played a pivotal role in advancing research and development within the company. Specifically, Dr. Leonte's tenure is marked by significant contributions to polymer technology and its applications and is demonstrative of her expertise in deep chemical engineering and semiconductors.
Prior to her current role, Dr. Leonte made notable impacts at Pinnacle Research Institute in 1995, Space Systems/Loral from 1992 to 1994 and DuPont EKC Technology from 1996 to 1998. At Pinnacle Research Institute, she led a team through a critical period when they faced major setbacks due to failures in their supercapacitors. Through her diagnostic acumen, she identified the root cause of the failure, designed and developed a reliable thin film duplex electrode highly resistant in aggressive chemical media at high temperature, allowing the production lunch of a higher power density, reliable and low cost, supercapacitor and reoriented the company. At Space Systems/Loral, she was instrumental in saving the company from bankruptcy by resolving a persistent issue with its batteries. Notably, Dr. Leonte's recommendation played a crucial role in reviving the firm by changing the battery supplier. EKC technology was winning the market share during the Hydroxylamine shortage due to the only supplier's lab explosion in Japan, timely commercializing Dr. Leonte's new highly efficient post etch residue remover product designed at 50% less content of Hydroxylamine, a breakthrough versus competitors. Dr. Leonte had remarkable contributions on Dual Damascene (DD) Architecture Cu/low-k dielectric integration at Allied Signal / Honeywell International, Advanced Microelectronic Materials / Semiconductor Technology and Research Center, CA and on Dielectric and Conductor etch core technology and precision cleaning at Lam Research, CA, from 2003 to 2009.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Leonte directed the Heterogeneous Catalysis Laboratory at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of Romanian Academy, where she contributed to foundational research in chemical engineering. She mastered and implemented more than ten technologies in industry. The technology for monopropyleneglycol, developed from lab to the implementation in industry, eliminated, in its world premiere, the highly corrosive homogeneous oxalic acid catalysis, and today the same equipment still functions at full capacity.
Additionally, she has been engaged as a visiting lecturer, which provided Dr. Leonte with the exciting opportunity to share her knowledge and inspire future generations of engineers and scientists.
Dr. Leonte was awarded "Nicolae Teclu" by Romanian Academy Award, the highest Romanian research distinction, once in lifetime award (1978), "Excellence Award" by the Society of Chemical Engineering from Romania for life professional achievements (April 2024), "Salute of Excellence" by American Chemical Society, California Section (May 2013), "Lam Vista Award" for outstanding achievements, Lam Research (2008) and other significant awards and recognitions.
Dr. Oana Leonte together with her husband offers sponsorship for a few biannual Lifetime Awards on Professional Societies for outstanding chemical scientists and engineers, the Costin Nenitescu Award on Society of Chemistry from Romania, from 2012; Emilian Bratu Award on Society of Chemical Engineering from Romania from 2024 and Constantin Luca Award on American Chemical Society, Romanian Chapter for Analytical Chemistry from 2014.
Dr. Leonte's professional affiliations reflect her commitment to the field and include memberships in prestigious organizations such as the American Chemical Society, Electrochemical Society, Chemical Society of Romania, American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and American Men and Women of Science. Dr. Leonte's career is also marked by significant intellectual contributions: she holds nine issued patents with an additional four pending, evidence of her groundbreaking achievements and commitment to pioneering research and development.
Exceptional academic accomplishments further define Dr. Leonte's presence in the industry. She earned a master's degree in chemical engineering from Politehnica University of Bucharest before pursuing a terminal degree in her field. Dr. Leonte is proud to now also hold a PhD in chemical engineering from the Faculty of Material Science and Engineering at the same institution, and she attributes her advancement thus far to her parents support and guidance, as well as to the superb educational training she received.
Dr. Leonte enjoys a fulfilling personal and family life, and her interests include traveling, visiting museums, hiking and reading, activities that provide relaxation and enrich her understanding of the world around her. Looking toward the future, Dr. Leonte aims to persist in her impactful work and to leave a legacy and clear benchmark for future generations of engineers and scientists.
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