June 11, 2025
What do you like about your job and/or about working at the Lab?
I love the people I work with and am always amazed by the incredible work being done at LLNL. In my role, if I can help our staff be as effective as possible in their jobs and assist the working groups in better achieving their goals and mission, I feel truly satisfied.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
Leadership coaching and development. Employee relations and team and group relations. Facilitation of strategic planning. LLNL culture work.
What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?
Co-chair of the Future of Works Taskforce.
What is your educational/career background?
I have a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
What inspired you to go into science/your field of work?
I love working with people. At an early age I was interested in psychology.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
Ask a lot of questions. Try your best to understand/learn the Lab. Don't be shy to find a mentor.
What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?
Running, skiing, boating, and spend time with family.
How many years have you worked at the Lab?
30
Where are you from?
Pleasanton, California
Do you support disciplines or programs outside PLS?
Weapons and Complex Integration and the Directors office.
June 4, 2025
What do you like about your job and/or about working at the Lab?
The team I work with in Operations is great. I also get to work with and around amazing people across the Lab. My leadership lets me use my creative ability to help researchers see their ideas come to life.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
My day-to-day changes frequently, that's what I love the most. There is always something new or a different challenge that pops up. I engage frequently with my customers, attend daily meetings regarding projects with the Project Management Office, and perform job walks.
What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?
I take pride in the work I do, so I would have to say all of them. However, being a part of our new Wet Chemistry Laboratory in building B177 is up there right now.
What is your educational/career background?
I started in the trades during high school, doing an apprenticeship to become a journeyman glazier. After running a glass shop after high school, I was able to secure a job as the Berkeley Unified School District Glazier. I worked there for 14 years, working up the ladder from the maintenance department to the facilities department where I became a project manager. Somewhere after that I was asked to be the Facilities and Maintenance Director for a private school here in Livermore for another 14 years, leading me to LLNL about 4 years ago.
I am also a 9-year United States Marine Corps Veteran.
What inspired you to go into science/your field of work?
As a kid, I always enjoyed working with my hands, fixing and building things around my parents’ house and for family.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
The knowledge here at LLNL is endless. Ask questions, always. Everyone here is always willing to help or find you help.
What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?
I like to work on cars. However, I haven't had a fixer upper in a while. Now that the kids are both almost in college, I am itching to get something soon.
Where are you from?
Oakland, CA.
Do you support disciplines or programs outside PLS?
Global security, Weapons and Complex Integration, Operations & Business, and Engineering.
May 21, 2025
What do you like about your job and/or about working at the Lab?
Solving unique challenges that enable us to improve our national security.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
Performing radiochemical separations, producing radioisotopes, developing microfluidic technologies, preparing and reviewing proposals, writing papers, and managing funds for several projects.
What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?
I'm really excited about our project to develop a fieldable microfluidic platform to support post-detonation nuclear forensics.
What is your educational/career background?
I received my BS in chemistry from the University of Arkansas in 2015, and my PhD in chemistry from Texas A&M University in 2020. I started as a postdoc at LLNL in 2020 and converted to a staff radiochemist in 2023.
What inspired you to go into science/your field of work?
After high school, I took a year off from school and almost decided not to attend college. In my second year of community college, I took chemistry as an elective course and enjoyed it so much that I transferred to a traditional university to complete my degree. I enjoyed attending the 2013 Nuclear Chemistry Summer School, which inspired me to apply to graduate nuclear chemistry PhD programs.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
As a postdoc, take advantage of your development account to learn new skills like coding, generative AI, time management, or new software! It's very challenging to find time to develop these new skills after conversion.
What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?
I have a very active toddler... I'm also a dungeon master, and my family likes to travel as much as possible.
Where are you from?
Arkansas.
Do you support disciplines or programs outside PLS?
Global security.
May 14, 2025
What do you like about your job and/or about working at the Lab?
What I love most about my job is my incredible team and the groups I support. They've made me feel truly welcome and appreciated, creating a positive and collaborative environment that makes my work even more rewarding. What I love about working at the Lab is being a part of a mission-driven environment where innovative research meets real world impact.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
My day-to-day activities include providing comprehensive support to both the Atmospheric Science Research and Applications group and the Porous Media group. My role includes managing daily operations, such as coordinating schedules and calendars, editing and organizing documents, and maintaining efficient filing systems. I handle communication by directing phone calls and emails, and I ensure smooth coordination of meetings and travel arrangements. Additionally, I manage office supply orders and track inventory to keep the office running efficiently.
What is your educational/career background?
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory marked the beginning of my professional career after earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University Monterey Bay.
What inspired you to go into science/your field of work?
My inspiration to pursue a career at the Lab began when I was a little girl, visiting the Discovery Center on a field trip. Even though my career isn't in science, I always thought the Lab would be a fascinating place to work. What truly solidified my decision was seeing a family member join the lab and recognizing how much she loved and valued her work.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
Ask questions, embrace feedback, build relationships, and stay organized to navigate your new role successfully.
What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my boyfriend and our dog, Charlie. We love going for walks, watching movies, and I especially enjoy cooking.
How many years have you worked at the Lab?
1.5
Where are you from?
Tracy, California
