There are several internship opportunities available for students, including the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) and Community College Internship (CCI) programs. The programs are supported and managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) in collaboration with the DOE National Laboratories.

SULI is designed to inspire and guide undergraduates from two- and four-year colleges, post-baccalaureates, and graduate students toward rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering, and math; CCI aims to encourage community college students to enter technical careers by providing 10-week internships.

SULI interns who joined the Lab this summer included:

Erin Suh (l) and Alex Picksley. (Credit: Matthew Fullmer/Berkeley Lab)

Name & affiliation: Erin Suh, Columbia University

Project title: Axicons for plasma channel generation for multi-GeV Laser Plasma Accelerators

Mentor: Alex Picksley

Student quote: “SULI is a great program to gain real experience in research with a team of incredibly kind and supportive scientists.”

CCI interns who joined the Lab this summer included:

Maxim Martchevskii (l) and Denton Silfvast. (Credit: Matthew Fullmer/Berkeley Lab)

Name & affiliation: Denton Silfvast, College of San Mateo

Project title: Towards a Consistent Radio Frequency Temperature Sensor for High Temperature Superconducting Magnets

Mentor: Maxim Martchevskii

Student quote: “I’ve had an incredible first research experience so far this summer. Everyone has been supportive and I’ve learned a ton!”

Other interns who joined the Lab this summer included:

Jean-Francois Croteau (l) and Miya Takeuchi. (Credit: Matthew Fullmer/Berkeley Lab)

Name & affiliation: Miya Takeuchi, University of California, Berkeley

Project titles: Development of a reel-to-reel system for the characterization of high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes at room temperature and 77 K; Development of a high resolution in-line imaging system for Rutherford cable production

Mentors: (first project) Jean-Francois Croteau and Philip Mallon; (second project) Nandana Menon (after Jean-Francois takes paternity leave)

Student quote: “Working on my projects has given me the opportunity to combine mechanical design, sensor integration, motor control, and feedback systems to build precise, dynamic systems for studying superconductors. This experience allows me to apply core engineering principles while also exploring the fascinating physics behind superconducting materials.”

Crisostomo Gerardo (l) and Anthony Vasquez. (Credit: Matthew Fullmer/Berkeley Lab)

Name & affiliation: Crisostomo Gerardo, Cal State East Bay

Project title: Innovative Targetry for Laser-Plasma Interaction Experiments

Mentors: Lieselotte Obst-Huebl and Anthony Vasquez

Student quote: “I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to have worked on such a cutting-edge project here at the BELLA Center. This internship has really taught me a lot about both engineering and physics, and it’s given me a new appreciation for how both disciplines can work in tandem.”

Tafai Muck and Hai-En Tsai. (Credit: Maureen Thaete)

Name & affiliation: Tafai Muck, Cal State East Bay

Project title: Efficient Guiding of Intense Ultrafast Laser Pulses in Hollow-Core Optical Fibers for MeV Class Laser Plasma Acceleration

Mentor: Hai-En Tsai

Student quote: “Working in a laser lab with so many others has taught me how to better communicate in the lab.”

For more information on ATAP News articles, contact caw@lbl.gov.