Los Alamos National Laboratory Women

Brittney Ruby Lynn McKinley

IT Manager – Deputy Group Leader for Systems Analysis and Software Quality Assurance

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
The most exciting aspect of my job is the constant challenge. Many of our problems are complex in nature. Having worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory since October of 2004 in numerous and varied capacities, I always strive to bring my past experiences to bear in my current roles, constantly building my skill set and enhancing my ability identify creative solutions. Bringing knowledge of work execution and data related to a Craft workforce, for example, helps me to address technical innovation being implemented that can impact the diverse workforce at the Lab.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
I began my career at the Lab in Accounts Payable. I encourage women to pursue their dreams, and understand that there is power in learning processes, organizations, and customers from the ground up, and by living in others’ shoes. It never hurts to diversify your portfolio of experience, especially to help you compete in any capacity here at the Lab. One of my managers once told me that “any job is yours to refuse” and that was in large part due to my goal to always have open and honest conversations with my boss so that my goals and career plans were clear to both of us.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
We have the great privilege of working in a government environment with some of the best talent in the world. Ultimately, the work and people I have built relationships with over the past 13 years keep my dedication strong to our united mission here at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Morag K. Smith

Nuclear Physicist and Deputy Group Leader

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
Much of my research over the last few years has been in treaty verification, where often a simple measurement problem is placed in a political context where a simple solution can’t be used and the challenge is to solve the problem within the arms control rules.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
My childhood enjoyment of puzzles led to nuclear physics, which in turn lead to arms control problems, which are just another kind of puzzle. Pulling in different interests let me recognize opportunities to do what I love when the connections were not obvious. Sometimes the solution is in putting disparate pieces together.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
The Lab has encouraged me to develop my technical skills to solve problems that extend beyond mere technical issues in collaboration with people around the world. Los Alamos National Lab has proven to be a place where my work makes the world a better place, while having a great time doing it.

Karen Gerwin

Manager of Labor Relations

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
Managing Labor Relations is challenging, interesting, and varied and I am always learning.

I get to spend my days working with wonderful colleagues solving problems and finding solutions to issues ranging from workplace concerns, to labor grievances, to jurisdictional disputes, all while ensuring compliance with our collective bargaining agreements, Laboratory policies and procedures, state law, and federal law (such as the National Labor Relations Act).

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
Get into the field of Human Resources and take any opportunity to expand your skill set, whether that be through education, training, job assignments or volunteer work. Know that there is nothing static about the world of Labor Relations. Doing this work means maneuvering and being comfortable in a nuanced and gray environment. Be flexible, adaptable and resourceful. Active listening, critical thinking and creative problem solving will be your greatest assets.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
Working at the Lab, I have the exceptional opportunity to support the Laboratory’s important mission by solving problems and contributing to operational success while working with bright, dedicated, talented people who care about what they do.

Vivien Zapf

Experimental Physicist

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
I enjoy learning about the mind-bending and counterintuitive behaviors of quantum magnets.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
It’s exciting to explore the unexplored, extend our knowledge, and solve the puzzle that new experiments present to us.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
At the Lab, we have access to people with a wide variety of expertise and facilities, such as the 100 Tesla magnet, that are not available anywhere else in the world.

Nancy Jo Nicholas

Senior Manager, Principal Associate Director for Global Security

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
I’ve always been passionate about our national security mission. Understanding the impacts of the work that Los Alamos has done for our nation over the course of the last 75 years inspires me to help lead the men and women of our Laboratory to accomplish what they are passionate about each day.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
Find true passion in what you do. At Los Alamos, we have amazing opportunities to work with top-notch people to make the world a safer place. I am grateful to everyone who encouraged and helped me to succeed and I am excited any time I have an opportunity to encourage and help other women.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
I work at Los Alamos National Laboratory because this laboratory provides a unique environment where multidisciplinary capabilities and some of the best minds in the world can be applied to our nation’s and the world’s most difficult challenges.

Nicole Lloyd-Ronning

Astrophysicist

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
I get to study the physics behind the violent deaths of very massive stars, which turn out to be the most energetic explosions in the universe!

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
Talk to lots of people (there is so much going on at the Lab) and find a group of people you genuinely enjoy working with.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
The work being done at Los Alamos National Lab spans a huge spectrum of interesting scientific problems and how they relate to the real world. It’s exciting to work at a place where such a diverse range of scientific topics are being worked on.

Unica Viramontes

Security Division Leader

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
National security threats are ever evolving and every day there are new security challenges. I get to research the latest technology in defense systems and tactics and develop ways to sustain a robust physical security infrastructure and safeguards that protect the assets entrusted to the Laboratory.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
Never lose your confidence. Believe in yourself and get your ideas out there.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
I believe in the mission of Los Alamos National Laboratory and its role in the protection of our great nation. I have the privilege of ensuring the safeguards and security of our nation’s greatest assets and I can smile every day knowing that my work at this Laboratory helps to ensure my children have a safe and secure future.

Amy Wong

Program Manager in Chemistry Division, Plutonium Strategy Infrastructure

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
I represent the technical aspect of this multi-billion dollar project. I work with a very large multidisciplinary project team, subject matter experts and management around the laboratory, as well as NNSA customers.

It is very exciting to support the building of modern laboratory facilities and to attract the next generation of chemists and material scientists in support of national security missions.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
I was fortunate to have many opportunities throughout my career. You are the only one who can turn the opportunities into fruitful outcomes and positive returns. It is not others’ fault if you don’t put in the hard work and make the best of your situation.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
There is never a dull moment working at Los Alamos—lots of challenges and opportunities.

Carol Burns

Deputy Principal Associate Director

Exciting/unique aspect to your work:
I get to see the amazing breadth of science and engineering across the laboratory, and work with the pipeline (student, postdoc) and enabling science investments. The enthusiasm and creativity of our staff is inspiring.

Thoughts for women aspiring to do the work you do:
Take the time in your career to enjoy new learning opportunities in science or in different jobs. This is a great place to broaden your horizons.

Why Los Alamos National Laboratory:
Working at a national lab is a great way to work at the cutting edge of science and engineering while serving compelling missions, and I got to return to my home town!