NETL Director Brian Anderson, Ph.D., spoke today to interns who will be participating in this year’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) at several locations across the country, including NETL. The mission of the MLEF program is to strengthen a diverse pipeline of future science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals, and mentors involved with the program have offered guidance to several hundred of the best and brightest students from across the nation since its inception.

The MLEF program was created in 1995 with the goal of improving opportunities for underrepresented and minority students in STEM fields. The 10-week fellowship, open to undergraduate and graduate students, offers a unique research experience for the next generation of STEM professionals.

“Seeking diverse viewpoints and perspectives has always been foundational for how NETL develops solutions to our nation’s toughest energy challenges,” Anderson said. “We are committed to acknowledging and valuing the strength of diversity, and the MLEF program is a great opportunity to gain insights from students and increase opportunities for students with a variety of backgrounds.”

At the kickoff, Anderson shared information about the Lab’s core competencies and impactful research NETL scientists are conducting to drive innovation for a prosperous energy future.

“For the next few months, interns will be part of a talented team of scientists and engineers who are making impressive breakthroughs in all kinds of energy technologies, from catalysts and methods to create valuable products from domestic resources, to component development for highly efficient turbine systems and more to help mitigate carbon emissions,” Anderson said.

Since its inception, the Office of Fossil Energy (now the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management) has hosted more than 900 summer participants nationwide under the MLEF program. NETL is the largest user of the program, with 35 students participating across all three NETL sites this year.

“It’s through sharing perspectives, applying wide-ranging skillsets and sharing ideas that laboratory work develops into technologies that can change the world,” Anderson said. “I hope the research skills this year’s interns develop through this program will serve as a solid foundation for their future endeavors and help launch and advance productive careers in energy innovation.”

During the program, interns will receive valuable research experience from one of several research institutions, including six national laboratories and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Headquarters. The event will conclude with a technical forum, where participants will share the results of their research with their mentors and peers.

Anderson also offered words of welcome to students participating in the MLEF program at the Lab’s summer internship kickoff on June 7. This year marks the 26th year NETL has hosted student participants from the MLEF program. From June 7-Aug. 13, interns will conduct research virtually under the Lab’s world-class scientists.

To read about this year’s summer internships at NETL, go here. For more information on NETL internship opportunities, go here.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers technological solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.