The House Science & National Labs Caucus and the Senate National Laboratory Caucus are sponsoring the third National Lab Research SLAM. The event has been scheduled for April 15, 2026, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm ET at the Congressional Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
This event will be live-streamed at nlresearchslam.org
At the National Lab Research SLAM, 17 early career scientists will deliver a compelling three-minute talk about their research in a format understandable to a general audience. Finalists will compete for 'Best Presentation' in their respective scientific category listed below. A 'People's Choice' winner will also be decided by the in-person and virtual audience. Voting information will be shared during the event.
Presentation Order by Category
First Category
Energy Security: National Laboratory researchers pursue technological solutions that provide abundant sources of energy and support energy infrastructure.
Presentation Order:
Karen D’Souza, INL: "Kitchen chemistry meets AI: separating critical metals with vinegar"
William Strahl, NETL: "Plugging old oil and gas wells: don’t settle for less—optimize"
Kalen Rasmussen, NLR: "From microbes to metals: powering energy security"
Bryan Conry, ORNL: "TRISO nuclear fuel brings poppyseed-sized power"
Second Category
National Security: National Laboratory researchers ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent and address emerging threats to geopolitical stability.
Presentation Order:
Marina Mancuso, LANL: "Protecting our country with intelligent immunity"
Keegan Orr, LLNL: "How lasers help deliver pizzas anywhere in 20 minutes"
Peter Lalor, PNNL: "Simulated signals, real security: identifying radioactive materials"
Austin Abbott, SRNL: "Astrophotography of filters: imaging airborne contamination"
Third Category
Scientific Discovery: National Laboratory researchers harness world-class expertise, facilities, and research programs to achieve fundamental science breakthroughs.
Presentation Order:
Preetha Sarkar, Brookhaven: "Building better qubits for the quantum future"
Byungchul Yu, Fermilab: "Whispers from dark matter: listening in through muons"
Tyler Hague, JLab: "Opposites annihilate: accelerating antimatter to unlock new physics"
Yashwanth Balaji, LBNL:"Shielding quantum computers from the chaos of cosmic rays"
Jenny Smith, SLAC: "Burst mode to breakthroughs: real-time selection for big science"
Fourth Category
Advanced Materials: National Laboratory researchers highlight emerging scientific and technological solutions from the development, characterization, or application of innovative materials.
Presentation Order:
Emily (Yuting) Li, Ames: "Catalysts that break bonds: transforming hydrocarbons"
Haili Jia, Argonne: "The secret life of batteries: AI spots what we can’t see"
Andrew “Tasman” Powis, PPPL: "No internet without plasma: physics behind modern tech"
Samantha Kruse, SNL: "Deep dive: revealing the 3D chemistry of microplastics"
We are pleased to announce that renowned expert in research communication Dr. Jean-luc Doumont will return as the event emcee.