Penrose “Parney” Albright, director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif., will discuss the role of laboratories in national security and technical innovation on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Exploration Hall on George Washington University’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus.
The appearance by Dr. Albright, B.S. ’79, will kick off the Dean’s Speaker Series. Moderated by VSTC Dean Ali Eskandarian, the series will bring together students, faculty, alumni and community members to spotlight challenges and opportunities impacting a global society. The event, which starts with a reception at 6 p.m., is free and open to the public. RSVPs are encouraged.
“Our hope is that the exchanges generated through such gatherings as the Dean’s Speaker Series will lead to solutions with a positive impact on our region, the commonwealth of Virginia and ultimately on the nation and the world,” said Dr. Eskandarian. “Dr. Albright by virtue of his years of experience and service to the nation as a consequential public figure in science and technology is an ideal inaugural speaker for our series.”
Dr. Albright, who is also president of the Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC, has extensive experience in policy direction, strategic planning, congressional and executive branch interactions, financial and personnel management of large mission-focused science and technology organizations and research, development, testing and evaluation of national security technologies and systems.
Previously, Dr. Albright, who received his master’s and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Maryland, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the position of assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. His responsibilities included developing the multiyear strategic planning guidance and budget execution for the complete portfolio of programs comprising the Science and Technology Directorate.
Under his leadership and guidance, major new national efforts were created in radiological and nuclear security; biological, chemical and explosives defense; border security, trade and travel facilitation; aviation and other aspects of transportation security; national incident emergency response and consequence management; and critical infrastructure protection.