NERS Colloquium | Creating the 21st Century National Laboratory

Abstract:

The Department of Energy’s national laboratory system was created in the wake of the Manhattan Project to create institutions that would steward advanced science and technology in the national interest. Today this comprises a system of 17 national laboratories that range from single-purpose science and applied energy laboratories to multi-purpose science and national security laboratories. Together these institutions are a critical element of U.S. leadership in S&T and an essential bridge between academia and industry. This talk will draw on examples from LLNL to highlight how we are working today to shape the environment and culture at the labs to meet the challenges of the 21^st century, from energy and climate to emerging and disruptive technology to national security.

This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-MI-853283.

About the Speaker:

Kimberly S. Budil is the director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where she leads a workforce of approximately 8,400 employees and manages an annual operating budget of $3 billion. As director, she sets the strategic vision for the Laboratory and is responsible for the successful execution of programs and operations to enhance national security through application of cutting edge science and technology and to maintain an outstanding and diverse workforce.

She leads the development and implementation of the Laboratory’s scientific vision, goals and objectives, and engages with the senior leadership of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and other federal agencies, as well as senior leaders across government, academia and the private sector. She serves on several boards and participates in numerous professional and community outreach activities.

Budil holds a Ph.D. in engineering and applied science from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. in physics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.