New Fellows Join in June. We are preparing to welcome aboard the Class of 2023–2024 in June 2023. This incoming class will comprise 60 fellows placed across NNSA and with the Department of State. We are looking forward to a year of in-person and hybrid leadership, learning, and networking. Our agenda of professional development events is filling up quickly! If you are interested in joining us for a session or would like to share other networking or training opportunities to help fellows connect within the nuclear security enterprise, contact ngfp@pnnl.gov.

Nuclear Deterrence Summit. Several fellows recently attended the 15th Annual Nuclear Deterrence Summit. The summit convened industry experts in the field of nuclear deterrence to discuss the management of the nuclear complex, the security of the stockpile, arms control negotiations, and strategic policy.

“What a whirlwind couple of days hearing from remarkable leaders across the nuclear security enterprise about where we are, and where we are headed. I’m always incredibly thankful to meet my colleagues from the NNSA laboratories, plants, and sites and the summit was no exception,” said Jade Fortiner. Jade is a fellow in NA-10 Office of Defense Programs.

Jade was joined at the event by fellows Stephanie Miller (NA-10.1 Office of Strategic Partnership Program), Paulina Keim (NA-192 Tritium and Domestic Uranium Enrichment Program Office), Brooke Guenther (NA-CI Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs), and Caleb Yip (NA-10 Office of Defense Programs).

“Being able to attend the Nuclear Deterrence Summit and meet the senior industry leaders and policy experts that NNSA works with was an enriching and valuable experience. I was especially excited to see the briefing materials I had worked on being used by Dr. Adams to explain what the Office of Defense Programs was doing to uphold the nuclear deterrent,” said Caleb.

For more information about NNSA’s participation in the summit, see NNSA Administrator Hruby’s remarks at the 2023 Nuclear Deterrence Summit.

Waste Management Symposia. Fellows Marlon Gant and Ben Lee attended the 2023 Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix, AZ. The event welcomed over 2,000 industry professionals from over 30 countries to share ideas on waste management topics.

“Attending this event allowed me to see how broad the field of waste management is and provided me with the opportunity to explore a variety of topics, such as robotic handling, remote systems, technologies, radioactive and hazardous waste characterization, treatment storage, packaging, transportation and disposal, engineering design, and construction,” Marlon said.

The event also provided the fellows an opportunity to connect with the broader national security community.

“I spent majority of my time at the conference networking, attending presentations, and even collaborating with others to help resolve common issues. For example, I met the manager of the Department of Energy Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office who spent years working on knowledge preservation efforts. I also explored the international panels and learned about some of their projects and efforts regarding Waste Management.”

Stewardship Science Academic Programs Symposium. Fellow Chad Ummel recently attended the Stewardship Science Academic Programs Symposium in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and chaired a session about work at the NNSA laboratories. Participants included representatives from Kansas City National Security Campus, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Nevada National Security Site, and Sandia National Laboratories. The annual symposium seeks to highlight the accomplishments of academic programs, promote interaction and help build user communities in areas of physical science relevant to stockpile stewardship, and encourage student and postdoctoral researcher involvement and interaction with the scientific community.

Regarding his experience at the symposium, Chad said, “It was great to learn about the exciting opportunities at the NNSA laboratories and sites for early-career scientists, and it was wonderful to share those opportunities with other graduate students and postdocs. I also enjoyed learning more about the various research projects within academic programs and seeing old colleagues.”

AAPI Heritage Month. Fellow Benjamin Lee was highlighted in an NNSA spotlight recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. In the article, he shares how his experience as a second-generation Korean American sparked his interest in international security and in U.S.- China relations. Read more in “Spotlight on NNSA Nonproliferation (AAPI Heritage Month Edition): Benjamin Lee.”

Alumni Leading Future Leaders. In early 2023, NGFP welcomed alum Alexander Godinez-Robinson to the role of Federal Program Manager. Alexander participated in the 2019–2020 cohort, working in the front office of the Office of Material Management and Minimization. At the end of his fellowship, he was hired into the Office of Management and Budget Learning and Career Management, where he has worked as both the NNSA NGFP Operations Manager and Deputy Federal Program Manager. In addition to his own fellowship experience, Alexander brings to his new role extensive experience working with leadership development programs both inside and outside of the NNSA. He also serves as the Federal Program Manager for the Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program and works regularly with high school leadership students, teaching seminars on inclusive language, effective communication and collaboration, ethical leadership, and work styles. 

Alumni Selected for Mansfield Fellowship. Alumni Angelina Loverde (Class of 2017–2018) and Dr. Lance Garrison (Class of 2015–2016) were chosen to participate in the Mansfield Fellowship Program. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1994, the fellowship program cultivates a corps of federal employees with practical, firsthand knowledge about Japan and its government. The program is sponsored by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. Read more in “Angelina Loverde and Dr. Lance Garrison Selected for Mansfield Fellowship.”

Black History Month. In honor of Black History Month earlier this spring, NNSA highlighted the achievements and inspirations of:

Kavough Jernigan (Class of 2022–2023) – A fellow in the Infrastructure Planning and Integration Division who spent his fellowship assignment working on various planning analytics and projects that support infrastructure planning efforts and metrics across the NNSA.

David Etim (Class of 2016–2017) – A federal program manager at the NNSA Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing and Institutional Research and Development, who found his passion for computer science and engineering during high school.

Women's History Month. In March, NNSA highlighted several fellows and alumni in honor of Women’s History Month:

Annelise Atkinson (Class of 2019–2020) – During her fellowship, Annelise served the Office of Material Management and Minimization. Today, she is a foreign affairs specialist and program manager in the Office of Nuclear Material Removal.

Chinazor S. Azubike, PhD (Class of 2022–2023) – As a recent fellow, Chinazor has worked on projects directly supporting the Office of Secondary Stage Production Modernization’s Lithium Modernization team.

Polly Keim (Class of 2022–2023) – As a fellow supporting Domestic Uranium Enrichment, Polly has supported the office’s mission to reestablish a reliable and economic supply of low-enriched uranium for defense purposes, including socializing the office’s pilot plant acquisition strategy.

40 Under 40. Alicia Swift (Class of 2012–2013) recently received the 40 under 40 Award from the University of Tennessee for her work in nuclear nonproliferation. The program annually honors and recognizes 40 alumni under the age of 40 who have excelled personally and professionally since completing their degree at University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Read NE Graduates Recognized in Volunteer 40 Under 40 Event to learn more.

Coming to a University Near You! Outreach for our Class of 2024–2025 began this spring. If you know a current or recent graduate student who might be interested, our application is open at pnnl.gov/apply-ngfp. If you would be interested in joining us for information sessions or have university contacts to suggest, let us know at ngfp@pnnl.gov.