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2025 Agenda

2025 DOE NNSA SSGF & LRGF Annual Program Review

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27

Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Washington, D.C.

Updated May 28, 2025

Time Event

Wednesday, June 25

5:30 – 7:30pm

RegistrationGrand Ballroom Foyer

6:00 – 6:30pm

New Fellows' OrientationPenn Quarter, Third Floor

6:00 – 7:30pm

Welcome Reception - All AttendeesCapitol Hill, Third Floor

Opportunity for all attendees to gather and socialize in an informal setting; light refreshments provided. Guests are welcome to bring a favorite card or board game to play in self-organized small groups.

Thursday, June 26

7:30 – 9:00am

RegistrationGrand Ballroom Foyer

7:30 – 8:30am

BreakfastSalon CD, Ballroom Level

7:30 – 8:45am

Set Up: Fellows' Poster SessionSalon CD, Ballroom Level

8:00 – 8:45am

2025 Fellows' Portrait Session & Group Photos London I, Ballroom Level

9:00 – 9:15am

Welcome & Introduction of 2025 Cohort MembersSalon AB, Ballroom Level

Shelly Olsan — President, Krell Institute

9:15 – 9:30am

DOE NNSA Welcome

Jahleel Hudson — Director, Technology and Partnerships Office, National Nuclear Security Administration

9:30 – 10:15am

Keynote

David LaGraffe — Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator, Office of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, National Nuclear Security Administration

"Research and Development at the National Nuclear Security Administration"

Session I Salon AB, Ballroom Level

Moderator: Samantha Lawrence — Los Alamos National Laboratory; DOE NNSA SSGF Alumna

10:15 – 10:35am

Benjamin Reichelt — Massachusetts Institute of Technology

10:35 – 10:55am

Garrett King — Washington University in St. Louis

10:55 – 11:05am

BreakGrand Ballroom Foyer

11:05 – 11:25am

Yoni Xiong — Vanderbilt University

11:25 – 11:45am

Justin Kunimune — Massachusetts Institute of Technology

11:45am – 12:00pm

Essay Slam Award Presentation

Shelly Olsan — President, Krell Institute

12:00 – 1:00pm

LunchSalon CD, Ballroom Level

Session II Salon AB, Ballroom Level

Moderator: Samantha Lawrence — Los Alamos National Laboratory; DOE NNSA SSGF Alumna

1:10 – 1:30pm

John Copley — Princeton University

1:30 – 1:50pm

River Leversee — University of Colorado Boulder

1:50 – 2:00pm

BreakGrand Ballroom Foyer

2:00 – 2:20pm

Jazmin Ley — University of Nebraska-Lincoln

2:20 – 2:40pm

Brian Rodgers — Colorado School of Mines

2:40 – 3:00pm

BreakGrand Ballroom Foyer

3:00 – 4:30pm

Professional Development Discussion & WorkshopSalon AB, Ballroom Level

Linda Macri, Ph.D.  — Director, Academic and Professional Development, University of Maryland Graduate School

"Designing Your Poster With Communication in Mind"

4:30 – 6:00pm

DOE NNSA SSGF and LRGF Fellows' Poster Session Salon CD, Ballroom Level

Friday, June 27

7:30 – 9:00am

RegistrationGrand Ballroom Foyer

7:30 – 8:30am

BreakfastSalon CD, Ballroom Level

7:30 – 8:45am

Set Up: DOE Laboratories' ShowcaseSalon CD, Ballroom Level

8:00 – 8:45am

Fellow/Alumni Portrait RetakesLondon I, Ballroom Level

9:00 – 9:05am

AnnouncementsSalon AB, Ballroom Level

Ralph Schneider — Consultant, Krell Institute

9:05 – 10:00am

Keynote

Stephanie Miller — Program Manager, Stewardship Science Academic Programs (SSAP), National Nuclear Security Administration; DOE NNSA LRGF Alumna

10:00 – 10:15am

Break & Hotel Check OutGrand Ballroom Foyer

10:15 – 11:00am

Practicum/Residency PanelSalon AB, Ballroom Level

Fellowship alumni in various roles will discuss how to select and complete a successful NNSA laboratory research experience. Topics will include exploration of the logistics of relocation, how to find a mentor, research topics, site selection, lab life, social outlets, and, generally, what one can expect when embarking on this immersive opportunity afforded by the DOE NNSA SSGF and LRGF programs.

  • Moderator: Kris Moran — Krell Institute
  • Ryan Childers — U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (LRGF 2019 Cohort)
  • Matt Gomez — Sandia National Laboratories (SSGF 2007 Cohort)
  • Samantha Lawrence — Los Alamos National Laboratory (SSGF 2012 Cohort)
  • Stephanie Miller — National Nuclear Security Administration (LRGF 2018 Cohort)
  • Travis Voorhees — Sandia National Laboratories (LRGF 2018 Cohort)
  • Chris Young — Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (SSGF 2011 Cohort)
11:00am – 12:00pm

DOE Laboratories' Showcase Salon CD, Ballroom Level

12:00 – 1:00pm

Lunch & Civics TalkSalon CD, Ballroom Level

Leland Cogliani — Senior Principal, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC

1:00pm –

Meeting Concludes/Free Afternoon

Fellows are welcome to explore the local area and depart Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 28. This might include making arrangements to visit museums, tour Federal buildings, etc.