The Penn State Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering’s “Celebrating Women in Energy and Water Research” seminar series continues with Susan Altman, deputy to Sandia’s Energy and Homeland Security portfolio.

Altman will give two talks at Penn State on Thursday, October 13, 2022—a technical talk and an experiential talk that will focus on her career path and leadership role at Sandia. Details for each are listed below.

Experiential Seminar: Splitters and Lumpers: My Different Roles Aimed at Improving the Environment

Date: Thursday, October 13
Time: 11:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Location: 402 Steidle Building

Abstract:
The constant theme through my career has been a focus on protecting or improving our environment. My work has included controlling non-point-source pollution, managing our country’s nuclear waste, minimizing biofouling in water treatment, and understanding the impacts of subsurface carbon sequestration. My current role is leading the Sandia National Laboratories Energy and Homeland Security programs, which have a mission to secure the nation’s critical infrastructures and the environment against attacks, threats, and climate change by performing world-class research and development. Working at Sandia has strengthened my skills as an integrator, pulling from the depth of expertise at Sandia to build interdisciplinary teams. In this presentation, which I hope will be interrupted with many questions, I will share stories and highlights from my career, as well as talk about the intersection of my career and personal life.

Technical Seminar: Energy R&D at Sandia National Laboratories

Date: Thursday, October 13
Time: 4 — 5:00 p.m.
Location: 401 Steidle Building

Abstract:
Sandia National Laboratories, a Department of Energy national lab, conducts world-class energy research with a national security focus. Energy has been part of Sandia’s mission since the 1970s oil crisis. Sandia’s energy programs are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, securing a trusted energy supply chain, and increasing the resilience of energy infrastructure. The energy programs draw on the Laboratories’ core competencies—leveraging decades of work supporting national security areas—to quickly address emerging needs. Dr. Susan J. Altman will provide an overview of Sandia and Sandia’s energy programs, which span work in energy generation, storage and delivery, and use. She will also cover Sandia’s priorities in tackling the threat of climate change.