Seminar Speaker: Ellen Cerreta, LANL

Materials for the Future at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Abstract

Los Alamos National Laboratory has mission spans research and development associated with nuclear deterrence, energy security, and global security. To meet this mission, the laboratory has a large materials capability that spans its 49-square-mile campus and involves over 1000 staff members engaged in materials research and development. This talk will provide a broad overview of materials science at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and discuss how that capability is organized, under our Materials for the Future Strategy, to meet mission needs. This strategy is dedicated to ensuring that the lab can make materials with tailored properties and then predict their behavior. The discussion will include capabilities for that work as well as a discussion regarding emerging staffing needs at the lab. Finally, I will conclude the discussion with some final comments regarding access points to collaborating with the lab and learning more about careers at LANL.

Biography

Ellen Cerreta is the Associate Laboratory Director for Physical Sciences. She previously served as the Division Leader for Materials Science and Technology, the Deputy Division Leader for Explosive Science and Shock Physics (M), and the ALDW High Explosive Safety Program Manager. Prior to joining M-Division, Ellen was the Group Leader for the Materials in Radiation and Dynamic Extremes Group (MST-8) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Ellen has been at LANL since 2001 and her research focuses on the relationship between microstructure and dynamic materials properties. At Los Alamos, Ellen has led a number of projects to investigate dynamic materials performance and provide insight toward advanced predictive capabilities for strength and damage in extreme environments. Ellen has served on The Minerals Metals and Materials Society (TMS) and ASM, International Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, respectively. She is a past president of TMS and was inducted into the 2016 ASM Fellows Class.