Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and UC Merced have long been partners in cutting-edge science and technology.
University students and researchers take part in numerous lab activities such as the Data Science Challenge, which brings students to Livermore to for an intensive two-week summer experience where the collaborate on complex scientific and computational problems. And on National Labs Day, the university connects graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with researchers from national labs across the country, including Livermore.
Now that collaboration has been extended to an exciting new level with a Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed last week, that will bring the two entities closer together than ever before, leading to expanded opportunities for students, researchers and project scientists.
"LLNL and UC Merced have established a deep and productive partnership that positions us both to advance scientific discovery and drive innovation," said Director Kim Budil. "Our collaboration creates meaningful pathways for career development that enable our workforce to grow and excel."
Under the agreement, UC Merced and the Laboratory will collaborate to advance scientific research, support national and energy security, strengthen California's innovation ecosystem, and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers.
"This is a permanent, visible, articulated and mutually beneficial partnership between the lab and UC Merced," said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. "My hope is that our futures are inseparable from one another."
The Lab and the university will pursue coordinated research initiatives in four major technical areas:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- Fusion energy science
- Smart agriculture and environmental biosciences
- Biodefense and human health
The Lab and university will explore the development of shared facilities and research spaces at UC Merced that enable collaboration, student training and technology innovation. The proposal includes work space for Livermore lab personnel on the university's campus.
The agreement is aimed at expanding opportunities for faculty engagement, co-taught courses, student internships, micro-credential programs and professional development.
