Back
Careers
LLNL's Candy writes his seventh book
LLNL electrical engineer Jim Candy never expected to be an author. But early in his nearly 50-year Lab career, several students in a university class he was teaching helped him become one. “I was an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, and I needed a textbook for my students. They had gone to the school’s dean and revolted against the book I was using,” Candy said,…
Jennifer Pett-Ridge inducted into Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientist Jennifer Pett-Ridge has been selected as one of this year’s 12 inductees to join the 2025 Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame. Since its establishment in 1993, the Hall of Fame has honored almost 300 exceptional women who have made a lasting impact in Alameda County’s communities. “I’m hugely flattered to be selected,…
Meet LLNL: Machine Tool Repair Specialist Eric Vinn
For Eric Vinn, fixing things isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. As a machine tool repair specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Vinn has spent nearly four years solving complex problems and keeping vital equipment running smoothly. Working as part of a 13-person team, Vinn specializes in repairing CNC (computer numerical control) and manual…
Big Ideas Lab podcast examines how machinists forge the future at LLNL
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), precision is more than a technical requirement — it's a craft, an art form and the heart of groundbreaking scientific discovery. In the latest episode of the Big Ideas Lab podcast, explore the fascinating world of machinists, the unsung heroes who transform raw materials into vital components for fusion research, national…
Emilie Dunham shoots for the stars
What if we could determine what material built our solar system, how old it is, and even the type of star it came from? Emilie Dunham, postdoctoral researcher in the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), is exploring the answers to these very questions, all while following a childhood passion. Dunham, a 2023 Lawrence…
Meet LLNL: Travel Accounting Auditor Angie Denton-Silva
Angie Denton-Silva, a travel accounting auditor at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has spent nearly 11 years contributing to the Lab’s financial operations. Her primary responsibilities include auditing international travel expense reports, managing extended travel reports and processing living expenses for offsite fellows — employees who take assignments at…
Meet LLNL: Contract Administrator Kerwin Falls
Kerwin Falls, a lead contract administrator and subject matter expert for the SASS Group in the Procurement Department at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), brings more than 25 years of dedicated service to the Lab. His career at LLNL has been marked by a commitment to excellence, a passion for community engagement and a dedication to mentoring others. Falls…
Lawrence Livermore makes Glassdoor’s 2025 ‘Best Places to Work’ list
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2025. This is the sixth recognition the Laboratory has earned in Glassdoor’s award program since its inception in 2009. Now in its 17th year, the Employees’ Choice Award is based solely on the input of employees, who elect to…
Three LLNL scientists honored with presidential early-career award
In an announcement this week, President Biden awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) to nearly 400 distinguished scientists and engineers, recognizing their exceptional contributions and potential for leadership in their research fields. Among the honorees are three distinguished researchers from Lawrence Livermore National…
Plasma pursuits: HEDS Center fellows illuminate the fourth state of matter
In 2019, the High Energy Density Science (HEDS) Center at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) launched its postdoctoral fellowship program, welcoming one new scientist annually to come and conduct research for a two-year term. Supported by LLNL’s Weapons Physics and Design program, HEDS fellows are encouraged to pursue their own research agenda as it relates to…
Meet LLNL: Administrative Assistant Darlene Yazzie
Darlene Yazzie has dedicated more than three decades to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where she has embraced numerous roles and opportunities for growth. Yazzie began her career at the Lab in June 1991 as a contract employee and transitioned to a permanent position in December 1995. Yazzie’s 33-year career at LLNL has been a journey full of understanding…
Science and Engineering Seminar Series at Las Positas College: Nov. 21
Now in its 15th year, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)-Las Positas Science Seminar series continues with a seminar on “Integrated Approaches to Nuclear Threat Reduction” presented by Amy Waters, program manager, and Chad Giacomozzi, deputy program manager for LLNL’s Nuclear Threat Reduction program. The event takes place at Las Positas College on Thursday,…
Consortium with Minority Serving Institutions delivers opportunities for students
The Consortium for High Energy Density Science (CfHEDS) had much to celebrate at its annual meeting this summer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). “It was exciting to connect with our academic partners and their students,” said Federica Coppari, the LLNL liaison to CfHEDS. “The best part is hearing from the students about their research experience.” The goal…
Meet LLNL: Site and Space Planner Char Berss
Char Berss, a dedicated site and space planner at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), joined the space planning team within LLNL’s Office of Laboratory Infrastructure in August 2021. Her role involves project management, move management and people coordination across the Laboratory. “I like to tell people that I play Tetris at work,” she said. “But it is Tetris…
Meet LLNL: Mechanical Engineer Eddie Jimenez
For many Lab employees who were raised and reside in the Central Valley like Eddie Jimenez, working at the Laboratory is a full-circle moment. “You always hear about the Lab,” he said. “It is part of our upbringing and when you understand what goes on here, you gain a sense of pride to say that you are part of the science behind the gates.” Jimenez started at Lawrence…
LLNL wins big at 2024 Bay Area Research SLAM
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL) 2024 postdoctoral team of Nicholas Cross, Caspar Donnison and Jillian McCool competed against their Bay Area colleagues at the fourth annual Bay Area Research SLAM (BARS) on Oct. 3. LLNL was the biggest winner of the evening: Donnison’s third-place finish for “Agriculture and Solar Power: An Unlikely Alliance” and Cross’s…
LLNL’s newest Machinist Apprenticeship Program graduates embark on next chapter of careers
In a ceremony tinged with tradition, the latest cohort from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) esteemed Machinist Apprenticeship Program recently celebrated their graduations at a private ceremony. The event, held at a new venue for the first time in decades — Livermore’s Zephyr Bar and Grill — was attended by family members, friends, mentors, past…
LLNL intern applies lessons learned from home, family
Brianna Barbee is taking a childhood lesson from her mother to heart — and it figured into her summer internship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). “My mom always told me, ‘You don’t want to live paycheck to paycheck’ and I really stand by that,” she said. “I was always very studious, but I knew I needed to find a career and not just a 9-to-5 job to pay for…
SAGE Camp: Expanding opportunities in STEM for students
Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement (SAGE) aims to broaden gender diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields by connecting high school students with STEM professionals. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) joined six other Department of Energy laboratories (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National…
LLNL hosts 2024 Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Summer School
Twenty students from across the country recently attended a week-long summer program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) focusing on critical areas within the nuclear nonproliferation missions of the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The students participated in a program — called the Nuclear Security and…
