On the Road Again. The Class of 2022–2023 fellows have already hit the road, visiting sites serving the nuclear security mission. In June, fellows Francheska Colón, Poppy Cox, and Abigail Eineman traveled to the Savannah River Site (SRS) to learn about the extensive and complex work the Office of Material Management and Minimization oversees. The fellows toured the site and facilities, met with federal and contractor personnel, and received briefings to better understand the disposition work that the office does.

“I’m amazed at how big the SRS is—it was a great experience to visit the site this early in the fellowship since it help me see the bigger picture of how my office works. It's a great way to get acquainted with the terms and the mission of the office,” Francheska said.

“Having the opportunity to interact with both the people working at SRS and seeing the projects themselves was a fantastic opportunity. I was able to get a better understanding of the work that we hear about and the history behind a lot of projects that my office touches,” said Poppy.

“It’s one thing to go to a meeting about a program and another to see it operating in person. I got a much better understanding of the office’s Surplus Plutonium Disposition project by seeing the converted reactor building where plutonium downblending happens and speaking to the onsite experts who manage the project day to day,” said Abigail.

Francheska is with the NA-233 Office of Material Disposition and is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry of Materials from the University of Puerto Rico. Poppy is with the NA-234 Office of Nonproliferation Construction and Program Analysis and has an MBA from the Ross School of Business. Abigail is with the NA-23 Office of Material Management and Minimization and has an MPA in Policy Analysis from Indiana University.

The Sky’s the Limit. With the new class in session, some fellows have already boarded the plane to international opportunities. Class of 2022–2023 fellow Benjamin Lee recently traveled to Vietnam to join the NA-213 Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) on a sustainability visit to view their work at Vietnamese ports.

“I was able to gain a better understanding of the sustainability side of NSDD, meet with technical experts, and meet Vietnamese counterparts. It has been great to learn about the technical, operational, and diplomatic dimensions of NSDD’s work in Vietnam,” Benjamin said. NSDD works with partner countries to detect, disrupt, and investigate the smuggling of radiological/nuclear materials that could be used in acts of terrorism.

The trip was a poignant experience for Benjamin, who knew he was one of few fellows to travel overseas in recent years.

“I am so grateful to have received such strong support from the NSDD office and NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program team to participate in a trip at such an early phase in the fellowship.” Benjamin looks forward to learning more about the implementation side of NSDD during his fellowship and hopes to advance the cause of nuclear nonproliferation throughout his career.

Benjamin is a fellow with NA-213 and received an MA in International Economics and Strategic Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Networking Gone Global. It’s often said that NGFP alumni are everywhere in the national security network—recently that was true in Brussels! Five alumni, along with PNNL’s Leesa Duckworth, supported the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification JUNEX tabletop disarmament verification exercise. The exercise, hosted by the Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the importance of robust verification to successful nuclear disarmament.  

“It was a great example to see so many former fellows come together from careers around the world to convene on such a valuable exercise. This is a great example of how being a fellow opens the door to opportunities to work in vital global security spaces,” said Leesa, former NGFP Team Lead and professional development specialist.

Preparing Fellows for the Future. Following orientation, the Class of 2022–2023 fellows attended a series of virtual information sessions providing an in-depth introduction to NNSA offices and other program stakeholders. The sessions included a series of alumni panels where former fellows shared insights for navigating the fellowship and the nuclear security enterprise. Panels and panelists included:

If you would be interested in joining us for future alumni panels, let us know at ngfp@pnnl.gov.

Spotlight on Women in Nonproliferation. The NNSA’s Women in Nonproliferation Series featured Class of 2021–2022 alum Victoria Vardanega, who worked with Material Management and Minimization within the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. Her work supported programs in the International Conversion portfolio working on the conversion of highly enriched uranium fuel and targets to low enriched uranium fuel. This work helps reduce the risk that hostile states or non-state actors will acquire weapons-usable nuclear material. “I am excited to continue to learn and grow at the NNSA as I pursue a career in the nuclear security enterprise,” Victoria said. Read more about Victoria’s path to fellowship and beyond.