Position Title
Program Developer, Strategic Programs Development Group, Biosciences Area
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
An undergrad classmate at UC Davis once described Lauren as “an engineer who can talk” and she built her career on that idea. Lauren works at the intersections of cutting-edge science, government relations, philanthropy, and strategic planning at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL). As a Program Developer in the Strategic Program Development Group of the Bioscience Area, Lauren nurtures audacious ideas in environmental biology into supported research programs. Previously, Lauren was a Postdoctoral Researcher at LBNL where her research focus was to improve plant growth and restore carbon in soils with microbial communities that live on plant roots. Her technical and leadership training at UC Davis prepared her for this less traditional career path. With Dr. Jean VanderGheynst’s guidance, Lauren researched biomass deconstruction, microbial communities, and algae growth systems for biofuel development. During her graduate program, she was a National Science Foundation Graduate K-12 fellow where she translated her research on biofuels into 6th grade science curriculum. She has extensive experience in nonprofit and academic sustainability advocacy and has worked in the University of California system, statewide in California, and nationally. Lauren earned a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering at UC Davis and was awarded the UC President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership in 2016.