Chris Lam, Ph.D., a stalwart in the realms of laboratory proficiency and advocate for effective communication in science, has been awarded the Governor's Excellence in Service Award by Governor Bill Lee, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The award puts a spotlight on Lam, alongside 22 other state employees, for transforming the delivery of services to provide top-notch quality at minimized costs for taxpayers in Tennessee.
In a move to honor the unseen heroes, Lam has been highlighted for his precise laboratory work and his adroitness with chemical analysis. "Dr. Lam excels at performing laboratory functions as well as interpreting chemical analysis for colleagues who serve the public," Hatcher said, detailing how Lam's skills have led to faster turnaround times and tangible cost savings, which trickle down as benefits to the state's fiscal management.
Lam told the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, "To be acknowledged for work I enjoy brings a sense of fulfillment," affirming his passion for his craft and his dedication to sharing knowledge within the scientific community.
Chris Lam's journey with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture began in 2010 when he took charge as the supervisor of the Food Residue section, and his responsibilities had a broad range including testing a variety of substances from food and beverages for harmful chemicals to later transferring to the Environmental Monitoring section where he analyzed samples from water to soil for pesticides; his responsibilities span now as the Agricultural Scientist Manager across multiple sections. Before his tenure with the TDA, Lam honed his skills at Bayer Crop Science, where he spent 13 years as a Senior Research Scientist after moving to the U.S. from Hong Kong, and earning his Ph.D. from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Off the clock, Lam enjoys the simplicity of reading, the rhythmic strides of a jog, and the allure of travel, embodying a well-rounded persona that merges the rigor of scientific inquiry with the leisure of personal pastimes.
