March 29, 2024
What do you like about working at the Lab?
My favorite thing about working at LLNL is getting to work with really smart and passionate people and getting to discuss interesting and challenging problems with them. Beyond that, having access to some of the best scientific resources in the world (e.g., NIF and HPC), getting to constantly learn and participate in cutting-edge science, and being able to directly contribute to national security and real-world applications is hard to beat!
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
My job requires a variety of different tasks, therefore, my day-to-day work varies. This might include several meetings trying to coordinate and execute the large-scale/team science that we carry out at LLNL, reading material and/or asking our SMEs about whatever topic/question I'm trying to track down at the moment, or carrying out simulations and/or developing analyses for my different projects.
What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?
I'm still relatively new at the Lab so I don't have a large list of projects that I "have" worked on so much as I have several projects that I am excited to currently "be" working on. At the top of the list is my neutron survivability work and the PROACTIVE arms control venture that has just begun.
What is your educational or career background?
I started out at a small liberal arts college with a double major in physics and business administration and then pivoted (somewhat) to getting a PhD in nuclear engineering with a focus on radiation detection for nonproliferation applications. From there I spent a year doing the NNSA Graduate Fellowship in NNSA's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development before starting at LLNL in August 2021.
What inspired you to go into science?
My interest in science really bloomed in high school thanks to my AP chemistry and physics courses. I love learning in general, but in particular trying to understand our universe/nature is not only fascinating but I think one of the most inspiring things about humanity. I knew I wanted to study chemistry or physics, and the chemistry course was full my freshman year so voila, I became a physics major! When considering grad school, I was really interested in particle physics, but I wasn't sure I wanted to commit to six more years of school and also wanted something more applied to facilitate staying in research/science outside of academia. I then had a dream about becoming a nuclear engineer, woke up and looked into it, and then proceeded to stumble into the field of radiation detection for nonproliferation, which more or less landed me where I am now!
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
Take advantage of opportunities to learn about all the awesome work going on at the Lab and its history, people here like talking about their work and helping others so don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions/for help. Lastly, appreciate how unique and rewarding working at LLNL is.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy exercising (weightlifting, basketball, running), reading (trying to find the balance between reading to learn vs reading for fun), am currently learning Russian, and have just started using my scuba diving certification!
March 15, 2024
What do you like about working at the Lab?
I love the freedom and creativity that I have here. I feel like any time I get a project, I am able to be creative with it and really just run with my ideas. I consider myself to be a "translator of the sciences," and I love breaking tough science topics down into easier to understand articles that even non-scientific folks, like myself, can understand.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
I am usually bouncing between several projects—working on an ongoing article, interviewing people across PLS, putting together a presentation, updating website content, working with other creative staff members like our graphic designers or videographers, writing the weekly PLS Notable Newsletter, etc.
What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?
I work on a lot of projects, but writing is my favorite thing to do, so I would have to say my favorite project is the article I wrote on a ROTC summer intern for the Energetic Materials Center.
What is your educational or career background?
I have a bachelor's in communications, a minor in art history, and am working on finishing my master's in English.
What inspired you to go into your field of work?
I have always had a knack for writing essays but never really imagined writing about science as a career until I came to the Lab. Now, there is no place I'd rather be.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
Don't pretend like you know what something (like an acronym) means!! If you have a question, ask it! It is always better to ask in the moment then to later regret not having asked.
What do you do in your free time?
I love going to San Francisco, visiting art museums, going on runs/to the gym, and cuddling with my cat Tommy T. I'm a member of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Women's Association (LLLWA) employee resource group.
Learn more about Shelby:
Biography
February 15, 2024
What do you like about working at the Lab?
As a PhD student, the access I have to the Lab facilities and the mentorship I have received from scientists who are experts in their field have been invaluable. I also have had the opportunity to conduct research contributing to cutting edge scientific problems that have a real impact on the United States and the world.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
I conduct research on several different laser facilities so in that role I could be taking data on a laser, analyzing data with my team, or preparing shot plans for further experiments. I also do supportive simulations, diagnostic development, and sample preparation for these experiments.
What is your educational or career background?
I received my bachelor’s in physics from UC Berkeley. I started working at the Lab as an undergraduate student in Strategic Deterrence. After I graduated, I became an employee at the Lab before I transitioned to becoming a PhD student through UC San Diego, conducting all of my thesis research at the Lab.
What inspired you to go into your field of work?
I loved that physics provided concrete answers to some of the biggest mysteries in the universe. I also wanted my work to be impactful and I wanted to be working on solving big problems. This led me to major in physics as an undergraduate student and to continue pursuing physics into graduate school. The combination of fundamental physics problems with national security applications lead me to the Lab.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
I would advise new employees to really take advantage of the expertise surrounding them at the Lab and to push to make sure they are constantly learning and growing as scientists.
What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?
I run marathons. I also rock climb and surf.
Learn more about Sophie:
Spotlight
March 17, 2023
What do you like about working at the Lab?
I like my job because I get to work with the best scientists in the world. The Lab and our program also offer great opportunities for teamwork, helping us tackle big and challenging scientific problems in our field.
What is your educational or career background?
I have a BS and MS degree in atmospheric sciences from National Taiwan University and a PhD in atmospheric and oceanic sciences from UCLA. I have been at the Lab for over 10 years.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
I encourage new employees to explore many opportunities that the Lab offers. Get to know new people both in and outside of your field. LLESA offers a lot of great activities, and you get to know and interact with people from all around the Lab.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to play tennis when I have free time and I am a part of LLESA tennis group here at the Lab. I also like traveling, especially to national parks across the country to enjoy nature’s beauty and the amazing scenery.
Learn more about Hsi-Yen:
Biography
