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From the battlefield to biocontainment: meet Sean Leonard
Science at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is what synthetic biologist and postdoctoral researcher Sean Leonard calls a “team sport.” This is one of the aspects he enjoys the most about working in a national laboratory environment. “I’d say my military experience fundamentally shaped how I approach science,” said Leonard. “In the Army, I learned that I like…
Lawrence Livermore celebrates employees with 50-plus years of service
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) recently honored a unique cohort of Laboratory employees: those who have worked at the Lab for more than 50 years, including those who will reach this milestone by the end of the year. The first-of-its-kind ceremony recognized the group’s incredible contributions over decades of commitment to the Lab’s missions. “It is amazing…
LLNL honors 23 as Distinguished Members of Technical Staff
Twenty-three LLNL researchers have been named Distinguished Members of Technical Staff (DMTS) for their extraordinary scientific and technical contributions, as acknowledged by their professional peers and the broader scientific community. As distinguished citizens of the Laboratory and their scientific areas of specialization, DMTS honorees have a sustained history of…
Benjy Grover named LLNL’s associate principal deputy director
Benjy Grover has been selected as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL) associate principal deputy director (APDD), effective July 1, 2024. Grover succeeds Sandra Brereton, who has announced that she will retire from the Laboratory. In this role, he will work closely with the Director’s Office (DO) staff on a variety of institutionally significant issues…
Lab scientist wins DOE Howes Scholar award for work in computational science
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) postdoc Kyle Bushick has garnered the 2024 Frederick A. Howes Scholar award for technical excellence, leadership and character in his innovative use of atomistic simulations to understand quantum processes and as a champion of inclusivity and community building. “Learning I was selected as a Howes Scholar was an enormous honor…
Meet LLNL: polymer chemist Johanna Schwartz
As a Jewish American, Johanna Schwartz believes she’s benefited from others’ mitzvah through mentorship, being included in team settings and receiving support when navigating life and career-path decisions. In Hebrew, mitzvah translates to commandment, but is generally understood as “a good deed,” or conscious acts of empathy and kindness. These decisions led her to…
Pett-Ridge selected as a 2024 Ecological Society of America fellow
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientist and head of the Lab’s Carbon Initiative Jennifer Pett-Ridge has been selected as a fellow of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). ESA designates fellows of the society for certain members who have made outstanding contributions to a wide range of fields served by ESA. Pett-Ridge was selected for her work in soil…
Kurt Dreger’s superpower is protecting workers
Kurt Dreger’s superhero costume would have an “s” on it — for safety, not Superman — for doing everything he can to protect workers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The assurance manager and directorate security officer’s impressive resume includes stints as a certified industrial hygienist and an environment safety and health management professional and…
Geophysicist characterizes the earth while forming community at Livermore
Geophysicist Christina “Chris” Morency’s research has led her around the globe to demystify the world beneath our feet. Since arriving at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 2011, she has held leadership roles on numerous research teams and has worked diligently to make Lawrence Livermore a welcoming place for all. Originally from France, Morency said she is …
LLNL’s Feaster named to American Institute for Chemical Engineering’s '35 Under 35' class for 2023
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory staff scientist Jeremy Feaster has been named as one of the American Institute for Chemical Engineering’s (AIChE) “35 Under 35” award winners for 2023. The recognition honors chemical engineers under the age of 35 who have made outstanding contributions to their field and to the chemical engineering community, according to the…
Two LLNL scientists selected as 2023 American Physical Society fellows
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists Manyalibo “Ibo” Matthews and Frank Graziani have been named 2023 American Physical Society (APS) fellows. Matthews was selected from the Forum in Industrial and Applied Physics unit “for pioneering research in optimizing metal 3D printing and laser materials processing.” Frank Graziani was chosen from the Division of…
All eyes on Miguel Cisneros
Miguel Cisneros is a first-generation Mexican American whose journey in life has taken him to explore and navigate the unknown fearlessly. Growing up, Cisneros was an only child who welcomed new adventures. His interest in exploring new experiences and places is something he continues to do to this day. Cisneros’ parents migrated from Mexico to the United States for a…
Wat co-authors article on improving DEI in materials science education
Amy Wat (Materials Science Division) was featured on the cover of the Journal of the Minerals, Metals, & Materials Society (JOM) for her case study on how to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in materials science education. The resulting article, “Cal State LA: An Example for Successful DEI Outcomes for Students,” (pages 13–16) introduces the university’s…
All eyes on Lauren Sylvia Abrahams
Lauren Sylvia Abrahams’ upbringing in a Mexican Jewish household shaped how she interacts and works with people by having a better understanding of their lived and learned experiences. Abrahams’ biracial and multiethnic background and passion for higher education have been the foundational pillars of her interest and work in inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability …
Breaking down barriers: Sharee Harris shares her career story
A common misconception is that those interested in technical roles at a national laboratory must hold a graduate degree such as a Ph.D. On the contrary, roughly 40% of the science, technology and engineering workforce at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) claim an associate’s or bachelor’s degree as their highest education level. This false narrative is…
All eyes on Lizz Lantz
Lizz Lantz has always been driven by curiosity about how the world works. “I’m really interested in the materials that make up the world around us, which we often take for granted,” Lizz Lantz said. “And, what better way to explore the world’s fabric than to inspect it under the microscope?” Lizz Lantz exercises this interest in her position as a metallography technician…
LLNL celebrates National Physics Day
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is celebrating National Physics Day (April 24) by highlighting just a few of the thousands of physicists that work at the Lab. Physics is a scientific practice that seeks to understand the way the universe behaves by examining properties of matter and energy. Representing a cross-section of the broad scope of focus areas and…
LLNL’s William Evans to serve on Fannie and John Hertz Foundation board of directors
Lab physicist William Evans has been selected to serve on the board of directors for the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the most promising innovators in science and technology. Evans is the physics division leader in the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), which works…
Beating the odds: Former Energetic Materials Center intern named U.S. Air Force Cadet of the Year
Second Lt. Hannah Fletcher, a 2021 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) summer intern, has been named the 2022 United States Air Force (USAF) Cadet of the Year. This award recognizes the best cadet in an Air Force commissioning program based on military performance, academics and physical fitness. LLNL’s ROTC internship…
LLNL scientist named to Forbes ’30 under 30’ list
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory materials scientist Daniel Schwalbe-Koda has been named one of Forbes “30 under 30” for 2023 in the science category. Forbes features a list of 600 individuals under the age of 30 each year, who have impactful careers and/or accomplishments across a span of industries — healthcare, science, consumer technology, Hollywood, retail,…
