Institutions grow collaboration
March 23, 2017 
RICHLAND, Wash. - Over the years, doctoral candidates have interned at the Pacific Northwest National Lab, conducting research in areas ranging from energy to national security to fundamental science. Some students have even co-authored scientific papers and presented at conferences before completing their doctorate.
But now, the D.O.E. lab and Washington State University are upping the ante with a formalized plan that enhances the benefits to both institutions.
12 doctoral candidates have been selected to participate in the PNNL-WSU Distinguished Graduate Research Plan that will put them to work in the lab to gain valuable and relevant research experience. The benefit to PNNL goes far beyond an extra pair of hands in the lab.
"These doctoral students are not only bright, they will come with new questions and ideas that will enhance the culture of creativity and innovation at the Lab," said Malin Young, deputy director for science and technology at PNNL. "We have dozens of researchers who are excited to host and mentor WSU graduate students in these areas of vital national importance."
WSU graduate students may pursue research related to clean energy, chemistry, environmental sustainability, national security and biotechnology - or other areas of PNNL's broad range of capabilities.
PNNL will provide the students' stipends and benefits. The participants are selected by both the lab and WSU, and it's anticipated the Plan will be an incentive to attract the best and brightest doctoral candidates. The graduate students will spend approximately 2 years at PNNL after completing their coursework at any of the WSU campuses.
"Engaging graduate students with the talented energy, environment, national security and fundamental science researchers at our institutions will increase the scientific and research capacity in our region," said Chris Keane, vice president for research at WSU.
The Plan adds to the long-standing partnership between the 2 institutions, which includes joint research programs and joint faculty appointments.
The 1st group of students is comprised of twelve current doctoral candidates who will begin work at PNNL this year. A new group of doctoral students is expected each year. This year's participants are:
- Jenny Voss, Chemical Engineering
- Nadia Panossian, Mechanical Engineering
- Ernesto Martinez-Baez, Chemistry
- Priyanka Ghosh, Computer Science
- Christina Louie, Chemical Engineering
- Justine Missik, Engineering Science
- Xu Liu, Computer Science
- Stephen Taylor, Soil Science
- Trent Graham, Chemical Engineering
- Isaac Johnson, Material Science & Engineering
- Austin Winkelman, Chemistry
- Anthony Kyzysko, Chemistry
Learn more on the PNNL-WSU Distinguished Graduate Research Plan website.
Tags: Operations, Staff Appointments
Interdisciplinary teams at Pacific Northwest National Lab address many of America's most pressing issues in energy, the environment and national security through advances in basic and applied science. Founded in 1965, PNNL employs 4,400 staff and has an yearly budget of nearly $1 billion. It is managed by Battelle for the D.O.E.'s Office of Science. As the single biggest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information on PNNL, visit the PNNL News Center, or follow PNNL on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
