WDTS Lab Stories and Participant Spotlights

Summer 2025 Abstract and Ignite Off Competition Winners!!!

Megan Rogers, SULI participant at SLAC National Laboratory (SLAC): A vibrant SULI summer shows how discovery grows through community. Megan Rogers finds mentorship, connection, and confidence in the lab-proof that belonging fuels breakthroughs and inspires future STEM journeys.

Astrid Reyes-Torres, SULI participant at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL): Astrid Reyes-Torres traded birthday ballons for algae cultures on her 21st birthday while participating in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in New York, looking to help decrease plastics found in oceans.

Anh Thai Nhan, VFP Faculty participant at Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory (LBNL): Anh Thai Nhan's repeated experience in the VFP has bolstered his career and research interests through collaborations and connections with LBNL.

 Mayolo Valencia, CCI participant at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL): Mayolo Valencia's professional luck turned around after his unique discovery of the Community College Internships (CCI) opportunity at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where he was able to expand his professional possibilities and hone his interests in AI and machine learning.

Jaden Cunningham, SULI participant at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL): From GameCube dreams to supercomputer realities, Jaden Cunningham's SULI journey at ORNL shows how early curiosity can spark breakthrough research - and inspire the next generation of innovators, ready to shape tomorrow.

Krista Kulesa, SCGSR Fellow participant at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL): Rising electrochemist Krista Kulesa turns waste into possibility, blending scientific fluency and fearless curiosity. Her journey shows how translating chemistry's language can spark innovation, inspire growth, and energize tomorrow's breakthroughs.

Angela Abongwa, SULI participant at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL): Inspired by a superhero, University of Chicago physics student Angela Abongwa turns curiosity into discovery through a transformative Argonne internship, exploring quantum science and shaping a bright future in research.

From ballet to plasma physics, Tess Bernard blends artistry and science to advance fusion energy. Her journey from the studio to the lab spotlights passion precision, and the power of public research.

From unexpected career detours to safeguarding critical infrastructure, Penny McKenzie's CCI internships unlocked her passion for cybersecurity-launching a journey from customer service to protecting the nation's most vital systems.

Matutusi Mitra, VFP Faculty participant at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL): From classroom to national lab, Biology professor Mautusi 'Mou' Mitra proves that collaboration fuels discovery-advancing cutting-edge recycling research while inspiring students and colleagues through DOE's Visiting Faculty Program.

Shira Goldhaber-Gordon, SULI participant at Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory (LBNL): Meet Shira Goldhaber-Gordon, a rising scientist whose SULI internship at Berkeley Lab ignited fresh curiosity, inspired lasting connections, and advanced breakthrough genomic research shaping the future of environmental innovation today.

Jessica Watley, SULI participant at Argonne National Laboratory(ANL): A field trip to Argonne sparked Jessica Watley's passion into purpose-showing how one eye-opening visit can transform a STEM journey, inspire new possibilities, and launch a future in environmental science.

Samuel Henriquez, CCI participant at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL): A community college student's 'why not?' moment leads to hands on engineering at Brookhaven Lab-igniting passion, purpose, and a PhD-bound future. Sam Henriquez proves big dreams start with bold first steps.

 Felicity Wheatly, CCI participant at SLAC National Laboratory (SLAC): From Chicago to SLAC, intern Felicity Wheatley turns curiosity into momentum - embracing new challenges, expanding her STEM horizons, and proving how work, learning, and growth can launch a transformative career journey. 

Andrew Swope, CCI participant at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL): From community college to cutting-edge science, Andrew Swope's PNNL internships sparked a passion for materials research-proving big breakthroughs can begin in unexpected places.

 

Previous WDTS Intern Highlights

WDTS Intern Program(s) Participating Laboratory Major

Pierre Alameda
 SULI Ames Laboratory
 Materials Engineering

Tristan Ashton
 SULI Idaho National Laboratory
 Physics

Michelle Bailey
 SULI Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
 Chemistry

Kyle Callahan
 SULI General Atomics / DIII-D
 Physics

Ross Dempsey SULI Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Physics

Brenda Escobedo
 CCI Argonne National Laboratory
 Electrical Engineering

Javier Grajeda SULI Ames Laboratory Chemistry

Christopher Guerrero
 SULI Brookhaven National Laboratory
 Physics

Michael Hewitt
 VFP, SULI Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
 Chemistry
Alex Holt
 Alex Holt SULI Idaho National Laboratory
  Electrical Engineering

Susan Huang
 SULI National Renewable Energy Laboratory
 Physics

Julia Indivero SULI Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Biology

Lauri Kight SULI Los Alamos National Laboratory
 Mathematics

Kelsie Krantz
 SULI Savannah River National Laboratory
 Chemistry

Alex LeViness
 SULI General Atomics / DIII-D
 Physics

Naomy Marrufo
 SULI Argonne National Laboratory
 Physics

Tamar Moss
 SULI Oak Ridge National Laboratory
 Environmental Studies

Mwesi Musisi-Nkambwe
 CCI, SULI Brookhaven National Laboratory
 Electrical Engineering 

Marion Smedberg
 SULI Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
 Physics

Anastasyia Stasyuk
 SULI SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Biology

Alex Tinguely
 SULI Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
 Physics

Volkan Yildirim
 CCI, SULI Oak Ridge National Laboratory
 Mechanical Engineering