Ashley Johnson joined the K-12 team in 2023 as a student education assistant. She supports social media content, newsletters, and K-12 outreach efforts. She is a former Berkeley Lab Director's Apprenticeship Program participant. She graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2025.
Samantha Flores Eulloqui joined the K-12 team in 2023 as a student education assistant. She supports curriculum development and outreach activities at Berkeley Lab. She is recived her Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley, studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in May 2025.
Kirk Mendoza holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Design from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the K-12 team in 2024 as an education program coordinator, helping coordinate outreach events with Industry Partners around Berkeley to get them involved with STEM outreach for high school students. During the summer, he focuses on curriculum surrounding sustainability, energy efficiency, rapid prototyping, and microcontrollers.
Esmeralda Florida is currently a full time student at San Francisco State University where she is studying Civil Engineering. She supports outreach and education initiatives at Berkeley Lab through her management of BLISS Kits. As a Student Assistant, she has been able to learn about the different research areas at the Lab and work with the K-12 Program to connect with the local community.
Edith Lai is a recent UC Berkeley graduate where she studied Public Health and Molecular Environmental Biology. As a student researcher, she is also passionate about science communication and outreach. She supports Berkeley Lab's K-12 initiatives by developing and managing communications content (such as this website!).
Ajayi is a PhD candidate in Science and Math Education at Southern University and A&M College. She also holds degrees in Business Information and Computer Science. Outside of the research, Ajayi has extensive knowledge and expertise in curriculum development and instructional design. Ajayi joined the team as the Program Coordinator for the inaugural Director's Apprenticeship Program.
Jeremy Snyder first came to Berkeley Lab through the SULI internship program, which evolved into a position at the Molecular Foundry and now his current role on the K-12 team. He brings with him a passion for communicating science through visual media and photography. He has pursued those interests through his undergrad degrees in Biology and Geology at Pomona College, and down the length of the Amazon on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship about river science.
You can see more of his photography and science communication work on his website.
Joe Crippen prides himself on almost four decades of service to his country. Joe began his time at the Lab after serving in the United States Army for twenty years. As a long-time staff member, Mr. Crippen is quite knowledgeable of the history and protocol of the Lab, and applies his expertise to providing logistical and operational support to the Government and Community Relations Offices and K-12 team. Joe became a first-time Grandfather in December of 2020 and spends time with his family and traveling.