Quarterly Newsletter - September 2023 |
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Welcome the Class of 2023–2024. The 59 fellows represent 36 universities, including 8 minority-serving institutions, and 34 educational majors, ranging from Asian studies to chemistry to public administration. NNSA leaders joined the fellows during their in-person orientation, June 11-16, at the PNNL campus in Richland, Washington.
Orientation gave the fellows opportunities to learn more about each other through team meetings, presentations, and icebreakers. In addition, they gained a better understanding of NNSA protocols, PNNL national security research, professional conduct, leadership development, and required trainings.
“Each year, we are amazed by the caliber of our fellows and the experiences they bring,” said Tom Gray, NGFP PNNL Program Manager. “Orientation is important for us to give them the information they will need to be successful in the fellowship, enabling them to immediately begin contributing to the important mission of NNSA.”
Every year, a key highlight of orientation is the unique tours. This year, fellows visited B Reactor National Historic Landmark at the Hanford Site and HAMMER, the Volpentest Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response Federal Training Center.
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Become an Ambassador. Our new NGFP Ambassadors utilize personal and professional networks to help grow awareness of the program and encourage future leaders to apply. To make it easy, Ambassadors have access to exclusive resources and training to help effectively communicate the value of the program to potential applicants.
This opportunity is open to all fellows, alumni, and key stakeholders. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of national security leaders. Sign up today to become an NGFP Ambassador and help shape the future of national security leadership: current and past fellows and other stakeholders. |
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Albuquerque Gathering. Philip Makarewicz, a systems engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, is coordinating an NGFP meet up for past and current fellows in the Albuquerque area. If y ou are interested in attending, contact Philip at pfmakar@sandia.gov. He was an NGFP fellow in the Class of 2013 –2014 .
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NTI Nuclear Security Index. Saadi Al Saadi Bualaq and Daniel Puentes attended the July 18 launch of the 2023 NTI Nuclear Security Index, a comprehensive assessment of nuclear and radiological security across 175 countries and Taiwan.
Daniel said: "I was surprised to learn about the lack of progress made toward improving nuclear security at sites around the world, considering the attention the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has received. I thought nuclear security would have become a higher priority to states with nuclear materials, but that may be politically challenging amid other competing policy issues such as climate change. However, it's critical that nongovernmental organizations such as NTI continue doing the good work they’re providing as it maintains a steady spotlight on this global issue that can have dire ramifications without oversight."
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New Voices. Grace Williams attended the New Voices: 2023 Conference on Diversity in Nuclear Policy, which was hosted by the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on July 13, 2023.
The event is committed to advancing diversity in the nuclear policy field.
“Panel discussions centered around navigating nuclear policy and diplomacy. I participated in a tabletop exercise focused on nuclear decision-making in a crisis. It was an excellent opportunity to engage with policy experts, journalists, and government officials with diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. The conference was valuable because it enabled me to broaden my understanding of global nuclear security,” Grace said.
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Pride Month. In honor of Pride Month in June, NNSA highlighted the achievements and inspirations of these alums:
Alexander Godinez-Robinson is the Federal Program Manager for NGFP. A member of the 2019– 2020 cohort, he worked in the front office of the Office of Material Management and Minimization. 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.
Kyle Pilutti, a foreign affairs specialist, wa s a member of the 2018–2019 cohort. Kyle works in the office of the Deputy Administrator for the NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, supporting the Deputy Administrator and serves as a regional advisor for Oceania and parts of Asia.
As a member of the 2021–2022 cohort, Jesse Altum worked in NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. Today, as a program analyst, Jesse works on the Ukraine Task Force as the Co-Chief of Operations, focusing on our partner countries, international groups, and coordinating what NNSA and other government agencies are doing to help.
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AANHPI Month. In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Month in May, NNSA highlighted these alums:
Ryuhei "Ron" Koshita (Class of 2022–2023) worked in the Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing and Institutional Research and Development as a fellow. Today, he is a federal program manager with NNSA.
Caleb Yip (Class of 2022–2023) supported the Deputy Administrator’s Action Group and helped support Defense Programs senior leadership as a fellow. He is a program analyst in NNSA's Office of Stockpile Sustainment.
Anagha Iyengar (Class of 2014–2015) supported the Office of International Nuclear Safeguards as a fellow. She is the deputy program director for Analytics and Innovation within NNSA’s Office of International Nuclear Security. The program is responsible for developing new ways to reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism and anticipate new threats to global nuclear security.
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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. |
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Sign up to be a speaker! 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. |
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Got Jobs? If you have an opportunity that might be of interest to other alumni, we invite you to share on our LinkedIn alumni page! You can also send suggestions to ngfp@pnnl.gov. |
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NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
1100 Dexter Ave N, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98109 USA
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