Three Lawrence fellows selected for 2026 cohort

This year’s three Lawrence fellows will pursue research that spans fusion science, emerging concepts for sensing and response and earth system science. Their work reflects both the breadth of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL) mission space and the program’s commitment to enabling early-career scientists to take bold, multidisciplinary approaches to challenging problems.

Lawrence fellows are the Laboratory’s most competitive and prestigious postdoctoral positions, requiring an exceptional record of achievement and a rigorous selection process that includes presenting a seminar during a two-day site visit. About one out of 100 applicants receive a Lawrence Fellowship. During the three years of their fellowship, fellows have substantial latitude to pursue an independent research program aligned with the Laboratory’s mission goals, under the guidance of a mentor. The 2026 cohort of Harry Fetsch, Taryn Imamura and Clarke Knight are profiled below.

Harry Fetsch

Henry (Harry) Fetsch will work in Strategic Deterrence (SD) with mentor Dan Clark. A theorist of high-energy-density plasmas currently at Princeton University, Fetsch studies the physics of hot, dense fusion plasmas relevant to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and astrophysical systems, with particular attention to what happens when these plasmas are out of thermodynamic equilibrium. His research has already revealed counterintuitive effects that could shape future approaches to ICF performance and interpretation.

“We’ve shown that some plasmas containing swirling turbulent flows generate more fusion reactions than quiescent, stationary plasmas,” notes Fetsch.

At LLNL, Fetsch plans to deepen the theoretical and computational understanding of these phenomena and extend his work into new experimental directions by leveraging facilities and expertise associated with the National Ignition Facility.

“I want to contribute to developing inertial fusion energy as an abundant power source,” said Fetsch. “This is a kind of ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ goal, and it’s nice to have something to aim for over the long run. But on a more day-to-day level, I find it rewarding to look for simpler, cleaner ways of understanding phenomena.”

Fetsch is particularly excited about the opportunity for open-ended collaborations at LLNL.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity to do research in a place with hundreds of scientists working on similar questions and with complementary expertise. I look forward to seeing what new and unexpected research directions will come out of these collaborations,” he said.

Taryn Imamura

Taryn Imamura will join Engineering (ENG) under mentor Monica Moya. During her Ph.D. studies in mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, Imamura’s research merged microrobotics with DNA nanotechnology to create “smart” materials and micro-scale robotic systems, including methods to manufacture large populations of micro-robots while maintaining critical functional properties. Inspired by science fiction and motivated by real-world medical challenges, Imamura is exploring how micron-scale agents could navigate complex environments and carry out targeted actions.

 “I want to construct micro- and nanorobots that emulate the intelligence of simple organisms like bacteria and viruses,” said Imamura. She also sees pathways for broader mission relevance of her research. “Imagine if we had a series of microrobotic agents that could self-proliferate through a material, and then send a signal to whoever is monitoring it to let them know, ‘there is a biological or chemical threat detected in this area.’”

Imamura’s research is at the intersection of multiple disciplines, making Livermore an ideal place to further expand on her graduate studies. During her site visit, Imamura quickly noticed that the Laboratory’s collaborative environment could foster ambitious, cross-disciplinary ideas.

“It’s one of the few places I found with the resources and expertise needed to help me advance such an emerging and cross-disciplinary field,” she said.

Clarke Knight

Clarke Knight will join the Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division (AEED) and will work with mentor Susan Zimmerman. Knight’s research focuses on reconstructing atmospheric river storms, California’s primary storm mechanism, from the paleoclimate record. “At LLNL I’ll dramatically expand that work, both geographically, across the broader Western U.S., and temporally, reaching further into Earth’s past than any comparable study to date,” explains Knight. 

Knight’s work asks what longer records can reveal about the full range of storm behavior. “The geologic record tells a far richer story…a more complete and honest picture of what our climate can do and what communities must be prepared to face.” 

By developing high-resolution, millennial-scale reconstructions of extreme precipitation and atmospheric river activity across the Western U.S., Knight aims to provide the historical foundation needed to ensure energy resilience.  

Upon receiving the news that she was selected as a Lawrence Fellow, Knight was elated. “The prospect of joining such an incredible community of scientists, and working alongside them on my research, is really thrilling,” said Knight.

Knight was also excited to join a mission-driven organization. “LLNL is a place of extraordinary capabilities, both human and technical,” she noted. “The caliber of scientists, engineers and technicians here speaks for itself. As a former federal scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey, civil service and working on behalf of the American public to advance science is part of my professional identity.”

Knight, Fetsch and Imamura represent the next cohort of Lawrence fellows, bringing new perspectives and technical creativity to the Laboratory’s multidisciplinary research community. The Laboratory’s research portfolio will be made stronger for their efforts, and we look forward to welcoming them onsite in the coming months.

The application for the 2027 cohort of Lawrence fellows opens on Oct. 1, 2026. For more information on the process, visit: https://st.llnl.gov/opportunities/postdocs/postdoc-program/lawrence-fellowship

—Stephanie Turza