Melissa Summers

Melissa Summers, Ph.D. is the Area Deputy for Energy Sciences at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The Energy Sciences Area (ESA) encompasses LBNL’s Chemical and Materials Sciences research divisions as well as the Molecular Foundry and Advanced Light Source National User Facilities. As Area Deputy, she partners with the Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Sciences to formulate and carry out policy, processes, and scientific strategy to shepherd and grow ESA’s diverse research portfolio, user programs, and infrastructure. Prior to becoming Area Deputy, Melissa was the Head of Strategic Initiatives for ESA and led the creation of the Area’s first strategic plan. Melissa came to LBNL in 2010 to manage the Carbon Cycle 2.0 campaign, an initiative aimed at connecting researchers from across the lab to develop technology solutions for a sustainable energy future. From 2007-2009, Melissa was a Science and Technology Policy Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science at the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, where she communicated the outcomes of NSF-funded research to Congress and the public and led the publication of a comprehensive report on NSF’s climate change research portfolio. She holds a B.A. in chemistry from the Colorado College and a Ph.D. in chemistry from UC Santa Barbara, where she studied the photophysical properties of single molecules and polymer films. Her postdoctoral fellowship in materials science and engineering at Stanford University focused on understanding the optical properties and dynamics of organic photovoltaic materials and devices.

What inspires you to work in STEM or operations?

My Girl Scout troop co-leaders were chemistry professors at the local university. They invited me to intern in their lab for a summer doing laser spectroscopy when I was in high school and I got hooked!

I think that many of the challenges the world faces today can be solved by human ingenuity, in the form of technologies and scientific approaches to problems. It's inspiring to play a supporting role in advancing science towards solutions.

What excites you about your work at Berkeley Lab?

I am constantly inspired by the quality and breadth of Berkeley Lab's research. Even after working at the lab for over a decade I am still learning about amazing lab research programs that I didn't know about.

How can our country engage more women, girls, and members of other underrepresented groups in STEM or operations?

Young people need to be able to visualize themselves in a career path. Highlighting role models who are currently in STEM and operations jobs, and providing young people with pathways to work in labs or operations settings when they're still deciding their career paths is so important. The chance opportunity I had as a high school student to work in a chemistry lab for a summer shaped my entire career, and drew me in a direction I probably otherwise would not have chosen for myself, because I didn't know any other scientists.

Do you have tips you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be persistent!