Ate Visser
May 1, 2025
What do you like about your job and/or about working at the Lab?
The best part of being a scientist is making new measurements. Every new measurement adds a little bit to our understanding of the world around us. We work on some of the most complex questions that require expertise from different disciplines. Everyone at the Lab tries to contribute and be successful as a team. That makes working at LLNL very inspiring.
What do your day-to-day work activities include?
I measure isotopes to understand how water flows in the environment. Collecting samples in the field and analyzing samples at the Lab are really at the core of my job. Over time, the day-to-day activities have shifted more towards coordinating research. That means more and more meetings to discuss scientific results and develop new ideas with collaborators. And of course there are some administrative tasks.
What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?
A few years ago, we studied how a watershed in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California responds to rain and snow melt. We tried to answer how long that water stays in the watershed before it exits as either stream flow or plant transpiration. We found that there's more water stored underground than we expected and that under low-flow conditions, the oldest water finds its way to the stream, while younger water is held up in the root zone. We made these discoveries based on new measurements of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes that few other labs can measure, and using a novel conceptual model called "age-ranked storage selection." That combination allowed us to provide observational evidence for watershed behavior that is otherwise really difficult to study.
What is your educational/career background?
For my PhD, I studied how groundwater quality in the Netherlands had improved thanks to EU legislation enacted in the 1990s. Before that I studied how water moves through unsaturated soils. Both my degrees are in physical geography.
What inspired you to go into science/your field of work?
The discovery of new things and wanting to learn more about the natural world around me led me to study physical geography. Researching topics that help us protect the environment and natural resources is a strong motivation to continue this research.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?
Enjoy it! Explore all the scientific opportunities at the Lab and talk with all your fascinating colleagues for inspiration and ideas.
What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?
I love walking with our dog and friends through the redwoods and oaks of the Oakland hills. I try growing fruits and vegetables in our backyard. There's something special about eating vegetables that you've grown yourself. And I like tinkering with electronics.
Are you a member of any employee networking groups?
I love playing pickup soccer games with my colleagues. None of us are any good, but all of us have lots of fun.
How many years have you worked at the Lab?
14
Where are you from?
The Netherlands
Do you support disciplines or programs outside PLS?
Global Security
