News & Updates
September 2024
FEATURED STORIES
STEM SPOTLIGHTS
Meet Our 2024 Fellows
This year we hosted our largest student cohort ever, thanks to our donors and partners. LLF fellowships expose aspiring scientists and engineers to unique STEM pathways and professional opportunities, opening a world of possibilities.
Our fellows work directly on real-world projects in the national interest, guided by dedicated Lab mentors. The program provides students access to LLNL’s state-of-the-art facilities and resources, enhancing their research capabilities and experience. Beyond building their technical knowledge, LLF Fellows are encouraged to explore further academic and professional STEM opportunities through LLF networking events and within the broader LLNL community.
Coming Soon! Our 2025 fellowship application window will open on our website in November.
LLF Fellows Week offers a unique, curated introduction to LLNL for our annual student cohort. Students are encouraged to make the most of their time at the Lab by building connections with peers and mentors, gaining new skills and pursuing career development opportunities.
This year’s Fellows Week (June 17-21) featured daily group lunches and guest speakers, as well as tours of BioEngineering, the Advanced Manufacturing Lab, and the National Ignition Facility. We extended our time together into July with special workshops, meetups at the Lab’s Central Cafe, and opportunities to delve into the rich history of LLNL. Our alumni circle is growing and we were thrilled to connect our former fellows to the next generation of STEM leaders. Several of our alumni have gone on to pursue a career at LLNL following their fellowship experience!
A special thank you to our current and former LLNL colleagues who contributed to this year’s program: LLNL’s Science Education team Joanna Albala and Elyssa Bishop; guest speakers Eric Schwegler, Jay Davis, Mark Seager, and Tom Ramos; and our LLF Fellow alumni, Alexis Diaz, Everett Grethel, Kyle Magro, Thomas Scott, and Jason Van Tuinen, for interacting and advising this year’s fellows.
Summer Social & Student Showcase
On August 1, we honored this year’s cohort with a special poster session and community celebration. Kudos to our student presenters, and our sincere thanks to our donors, academic partners, and LLNL colleagues and mentors for their commitment to the next generation of STEM leaders!
NEURO DISEASE NEWS
Shuler Life Sciences Fellow Studies Brain Disorders
This summer brought the first William B. Shuler Life Sciences Fellow to LLNL. Arizona State student Prayagee Songhela studied how the AChE enzyme and the gut microbiome play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS.
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
Roads to Removal is on the Road
The Roads to Removal (R2R) roadshow continues this Fall with a series of expert-led stakeholder conversations and symposiums across the United States. LLNL report authors are joining forces with the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania in September and the Paul H. O’Neill School of Environmental and Public Affairs at Indiana University in October for important conversations and presentations on the path forward to remove carbon dioxide and reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The events in Pennsylvania and Indiana follow earlier 2024 events in California and North Carolina, and plans are now underway for a November event in Wyoming as well. Thanks to generous support from ClimateWorks Foundation, Breakthrough Energy and Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, all Roads to Removal events are free and open to the public. LLF is managing these public events nationwide.
Want to stay connected with the Roads to Removal team as they are on their road trip? Join the mailing list on the R2R website to learn more about past events, all the latest happenings, and regional opportunities.
FUSION FOCUS
Meet Our Fusion Fellows
In 2023, we launched an inaugural LLF Fusion Fellowship opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to work with LLNL’s Inertial Fusion Energy team. This summer, LLF was pleased to bring two more fusion fellows to the Lab.
UPCOMING EVENTS
City Center Bishop Ranch
Celebrates LLNL’s Fusion Ignition
To celebrate LLNL’s milestone of achieving fusion ignition, City Center Bishop Ranch is hosting an event honoring staff from the Lab. Hear from LLNL Director Dr. Kim Budil and local officials, and enjoy other science-based activities. LLF will be there, so please stop by our table and say “hello” to the team!
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Decarbonizing Our Economy Symposium
On Friday, November 8, join LLF and LLNL staff along with partners Startup Tri-Valley, Innovation Tri-Valley and the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District for an interactive symposium exploring emerging climate technologies and workforce considerations. This free, interactive symposium will bring together industry, scientists, policy makers and the essential educators responsible for training the future climate workforce. We hope to see you there!
Event Details:
Date: Friday, November 8, 2024
Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LLF?
Downloads
2023 Annual Report »
LLF One-Pager »
LLF’s research initiatives, STEM programs and student fellowships are made possible via generous philanthropic support from our donors and partners. Thank you for your consideration!
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