Souleymane Diallo is an analytical and detail-oriented individual, with 25 years of experience in research and development within both public and private sectors.

After earning his PhD in physics from the University of Delaware in 2007, Souleymane began his career in Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and most recently was a program manager for the National Facilities and Instrumentation Team at the Division of Materials Research, tackling future scientific and technological challenges and working with various research partners to advance common goals, notably within the context of large-scale user infrastructure. He is a successful scientific team leader who has a strong understanding of ground-breaking scientific research and product development.

Souleymane joins the MCP as a pioneer who prioritizes advancing the MCP’s scientific goals as well as fostering collaborations to enhance the facility’s impact and interdisciplinary engagement. Not only is Souleymane an integral part of internal operations at the MCP as he manages staff and oversees daily functions, but also, he works directly with Mitra Taheri and Whiting School leadership to represent the MCP to external partners and stakeholders, including industrial, academic, government, and foundation-based entities.

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 2007
Bachelor of Science in Physics, University Cadi-Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco, 1999

Experience

2025-Present: Associate Research Scientist and Executive Director of Operations, Materials Characterization and Processing Facility

2021- 2025: National Science Foundation, Alexandria VA
Program Director, Division of Material Research (DMR)

2019-2021: Battelle Memorial Institute, Aberdeen MD
Senior Research Scientist, Critical Infrastructure Division

2016 – 2019: Smith’s Detection Inc., Edgewood, MD
Manager & Scientist, R&D Imaging Group

2010 – 2016: Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN
Instrument Scientist, Neutron Sciences Division

2008 – 2010: Ames Laboratory, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ames, IA

2003 – 2008: University of Delaware, Research Associate/Assistant – Department of Physics & Astronomy, Delaware, DE

2001 – 2003: University of Delaware, Teaching Assistant – Department of Physics & Astronomy, Delaware, DE