Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory



February

Seven NIF&PS Staffers Graduate from Leadership Institute


Sparking an Early Interest in STEM

Six LLNL employees who work in the NIF & Photon Science Directorate participated in the 2017 edition of the Tri-Valley Expanding Your Horizons Conference on Feb. 25. The annual conference is geared to increase interest and foster awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to provide opportunities for young women to meet and interact with positive role models who are actively engaged in STEM-related careers.

The event drew about 300 young women in grades 6 to 9 to Diablo Valley College in San Ramon, California. The theme was “Trailblazing Your Future.” Attendees participated in two hands-on workshops and a special group activity, ate lunch with the presenters, and attended a career fair/science expo.

Ruth Hawley Demonstrates Laser PropertiesRuth Hawley uses the Laser Light Fountain to explain the properties of lasers to Expanding Your Horizons attendees. Kendra Ruiz Explains a NIF Target(Above) Kendra Ruiz explains a NIF target. (Below) NIF & Photon Science staffers (from left) Robin Miles, Kendra Ruiz, Pascale Di Nicola, Kathleen Schaffers, Ruth Hawley, and Rebecca Dylla-Spears in front of the NIF exhibit. Credit: Jason LaureaNIF&PS Participants at the NIF Booth

The conference was organized by LLNL, Sandia National Laboratories/California, Diablo Valley College San Ramon Campus, and the American Association of University Women.

Bay Area Students Tour NIFSome 250 Bay Area students toured NIF on March 2 during LLNL’s “Day at the Lab” (formerly known as My Brother’s Keeper). The students came from school districts in Livermore, San Francisco, Oakland, Central Contra Costa County, West Contra Costa County, Richmond and Tracy. The goal of the event is to engage underserved and disconnected youth through demonstrations, tours, and hands-on interactive displays featuring science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and provide opportunities for mentoring with Laboratory scientists and engineers. The daylong event was geared to engage and excite students toward opportunities in STEM and encourage positive future life and career choices.

Seven NIF&PS Staffers Graduate from Leadership Institute

Seven LLNL employees who work in the NIF & Photon Science Directorate—Gordon Brunton, Jay Dawson, Kevin Fournier, Abbas Nikroo, Barb Quivey, Stanley Sommer, and Elliot Zhang—have graduated from the Laboratory’s Leadership Institute.

Laboratory Director Bill Goldstein recently hosted a graduation celebration for the 2016 Leadership Institute participants. The Laboratory partners with the University of California’s Haas School of Business to offer a unique program for about 40 participants who meet with Laboratory senior management and Haas faculty throughout the year.

The participants are nominated by their principal associate director and are considered high-potential future lab leaders. The year-long program consists of monthly sessions that focus on skills for leading employees, encouraging innovation, managing change, handling conflict constructively, working with customers and developing effective business strategies.