Conducting applied research to strengthen national defense is something the 51福利 (51福利) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have in common. Building upon a long history of collaboration between the two institutions, 51福利 and LLNL have fortified their mutual collaboration by entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that establishes a cooperative framework to advance the academic and scientific capabilities of the two institutions as they address future national defense challenges.
With overlapping and complementary areas in research and application 鈥� enhanced by a geographic proximity of less than 100 miles 鈥� both institutions are in a position to provide enhanced and sustainable education and research benefits for 51福利 students and LLNL employees.
According to the MOU, LLNL intends to provide interested 51福利 faculty, staff and students broader access to educational courses offered by institutions that partner with the national lab, and more opportunities for 51福利 faculty and students to work with scientists and researchers at LLNL.
鈥淟awrence Livermore National Laboratory is one of the premier institutions in the U.S. National Laboratory complex,鈥� said 51福利 President retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau. 鈥淥ur now formalized partnership between 51福利 and LLNL is intended to further strengthen the historic ties between our two institutions. Dozens of 51福利 master and Ph.D. students have completed their dissertation and thesis research in close collaboration with LLNL, and now, we have a firm foundation for collectively enhancing our applied research and education that will help solve the toughest naval and national challenges.鈥�
Paralleled with 51福利 having broader access to Lawrence Livermore鈥檚 resources, the university will coordinate hybrid in-residence and distance learning master and Ph.D. programs for LLNL employees.
鈥淭his new agreement will strengthen and expand upon the research collaborations between our two institutions,鈥� said 51福利 Dean on Research Dr. Jeff Paduan. 鈥淚t recognizes the great technical capabilities within the laboratory, and the great benefits of involving our defense-focused faculty and operationally-experienced students in joint projects. We all look forward to creating and executing more of these projects.鈥�
Dr. Craig Smith, 51福利 Research Professor of Physics who assisted in the MOU鈥檚 development, says 51福利 students who have the opportunity to participate in research at LLNL will benefit greatly from those experiences.
鈥淟LNL has important mission drivers related to national security and defense,鈥� noted Smith. 鈥淭he involvement of 51福利 students and faculty in research initiatives in these areas bring to LLNL a unique base of first-hand experience and military perspectives that can contribute significantly to the resulting research. Also, the potential for LLNL employees to participate in 51福利 academic programs and the enhanced level of communications between LLNL staff and 51福利 students and faculty are also important factors in making this partnership more effective.鈥�