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About LaserNetUS

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Mission & Vision

Our mission is to advance and promote high-power laser science and applications by:

  • Advancing the frontiers of laser-science research.
  • Providing students and scientists with broad access to unique facilities and enabling technologies.
  • Fostering collaboration among researchers and networks from around the world.

At LaserNetUS, we are committed to empowering the next generation of scientists and expanding the boundaries of what is possible with high-power lasers. We envision a future where LaserNetUS leads the world in high-power laser research, driving breakthroughs in fusion energy, material science, and other transformative fields. By facilitating access to state-of-the-art laser technology, we aim to be a cornerstone of innovation, enabling discoveries that will shape the future of energy and scientific exploration.

U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

Core Values

  • Accessibility: Providing researchers, from students to seasoned scientists, with access to cutting-edge laser facilities.
  • Collaboration: Building global partnerships to accelerate research and innovation.
  • Excellence: Upholding the highest standards of research, technology, and scientific integrity.
  • Innovation: Pushing the boundaries of laser science to develop new applications and technologies.

A National Initiative in Laser Research

LaserNetUS was established in August 2018 by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fusion Energy Sciences to restore the nation’s leadership in high-intensity laser research. As a collaborative network of cutting-edge laser facilities, LaserNetUS enhances access to advanced laser technology for researchers across the U.S. and Canada. This initiative stemmed from a 2018 National Academies report that emphasized the need for a national network to support innovative experiments and foster collaboration in high-power laser science. Since then, LaserNetUS has driven significant advancements in fields like fusion energy and material science, while nurturing the next generation of scientists in these critical areas.
A National Initiative in Laser Research
Empowering Research & Collaboration

Empowering Research & Collaboration

LaserNetUS provides comprehensive resources to support the scientific community:
  • Access to World-Class Laser Facilities: Researchers can utilize state-of-the-art laser systems for groundbreaking experiments.
  • Research Proposal Support: Guidance through the proposal process to maximize success.
  • Educational Opportunities: Hands-on experience for students and early-career scientists to support their academic growth.
  • Collaborative Projects: Opportunities for researchers to collaborate on pioneering laser technology projects.
Join the LaserNetUS community by becoming a:
  • User
  • Institutional Member
  • Private Sector Partner

LaserNetUS member facilities are located at:

  1. Colorado State University
  2. Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  4. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  5. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
  6. The Ohio State University
  7. University of California, Los Angeles
  8. University of Central Florida
  9. University of Maryland
  10. University of Michigan
  11. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  12. University of Rochester
  13. University of Texas at Austin

Supporting Research & Leading User Initiatives

LasernetUS Coordinator

Chandra Breanne Curry
LaserNetUS Coordinator

The LaserNetUS Coordinator, Dr. Chandra Breanne Curry, plays a pivotal role in managing the program and driving its success. With a focus on strategic leadership, she oversees key initiatives, events, and subcommittees within the network, ensuring smooth operations and collaboration across all LaserNetUS activities. As the primary user liaison, Dr. Curry is dedicated to supporting researchers by coordinating user feedback and addressing needs promptly and effectively.

In addition to her user support role, Dr. Curry actively leads outreach efforts, presenting at conferences and working closely with subcommittees to share LaserNetUS developments with potential users and stakeholders. Her collaboration with the LaserNetUS Network Facilities Committee and the Scientific Advisory Board ensures that long-term plans align with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, fostering innovation and advancing high-power laser research across the United States.

Through her leadership and commitment, Dr. Curry strengthens collaboration within the scientific community, helping to push the boundaries of laser science and technology.

Get in Touch

U.S Department of Energy
Energy.gov

Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
- Department of Energy

Building a Network of Excellence

Explore the LaserNetUS Organizational Chart to meet the committee members who drive our success. Use the navigation on the left-hand side to learn more about the individuals shaping our organization.

Network Facilities Committee
Mingsheng Wei
Mingsheng Wei
Mingsheng Wei
Chair
François Légaré
François Légaré
François Légaré
Vice-Chair
Jorge Rocca
Jorge Rocca
Jorge Rocca
Member
Lieselotte Obst-Huebl
Lieselotte Obst-Huebl
Lieselotte Obst-Huebl
Member
Cameron Geddes
Cameron Geddes
Cameron Geddes
Member
Sandra Bruce
Sandra Bruce
Sandra Bruce
Member
Li Fang
Li Fang
Li Fang
Felicie Albert
Felicie Albert
Felicie Albert
Member
Howard Milchberg
Howard Milchberg
Howard Milchberg
Member
Gilliss Dyer
Gilliss Dyer
Gilliss Dyer
Member
Sallee R. Klein
Sallee R. Klein
Sallee R. Klein
Member
Christoph Niemann
Christoph Niemann
Christoph Niemann
Member
Douglass Schumacher
Douglass Schumacher
Douglass Schumacher
Member
I-USE: Intense-light USers Engagement Committee
Elizabeth Grace
Elizabeth Grace
Elizabeth Grace
Chair
Matthew Hill
Matthew Hill
Matthew Hill
Treasurer
Mathieu Bailly-Grandvaux
Mathieu Bailly-Grandvaux
Mathieu Bailly-Grandvaux
Facility Liaison
Quynh Nguyen
Quynh Nguyen
Quynh Nguyen
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Executive
Scientific Advisory Board
Roger Falcone
Roger Falcone
Roger Falcone
Chair
Roman Hvězda
Roman Hvězda
Roman Hvězda
Member
Pravesh Patel
Pravesh Patel
Pravesh Patel
Member
Evdokiya (Eva) Kostadinova
Evdokiya (Eva) Kostadinova
Evdokiya (Eva) Kostadinova
Member
Kevin Fournier
Kevin Fournier
Kevin Fournier
Member
Derek Schaeffer
Derek Schaeffer
Derek Schaeffer
Member
Andrea “Annie” Kritcher
Andrea “Annie” Kritcher
Andrea “Annie” Kritcher
Member
Diagnostics Committee
Sophia Malko
Sophia Malko
Sophia Malko
Chair
Franziska Treffert
Franziska Treffert
Franziska Treffert
Interim Vice-Chair
Valeria Ospina
Valeria Ospina
Valeria Ospina
Member
Frances Kraus
Frances Kraus
Frances Kraus
Member
Dean Rusby
Dean Rusby
Dean Rusby
Member
Christopher McGuffey
Christopher McGuffey
Christopher McGuffey
Member
Maxence Gauthier
Maxence Gauthier
Maxence Gauthier
Member
David Garand
David Garand
Member
Maria Pia  Valdivia Leiva
Maria Pia Valdivia Leiva
Member
Simulations Committee
Petros Tzeferacos
Petros Tzeferacos
Petros Tzeferacos
Chair
Igor Golovkin
Igor Golovkin
Igor Golovkin
Vice-Chair
Proposal Review Panel
Matthew Edwards
Matthew Edwards
Chair
The panel also includes 10-20 confidential members with a balanced representation of the organizations and disciplines across High Energy Denstity (HED) and high-intensity laser science. Confidentiality in the PRP process is strictly upheld to protect LaserNetUS users, the PRP members, and scientific integrity.
Matthew Edwards

Matthew Edwards

Ensuring Fairness and Excellence in the Proposal Review

The Proposal Review Panel (PRP) plays a crucial role in evaluating proposals submitted to LaserNetUS, focusing on their scientific and technical merit. As an independent and confidential committee, the PRP ensures fair and unbiased recommendations for the allocation of experimental time across all participating facilities.

We are pleased to welcome Prof. Matthew Edwards from Stanford University as the incoming Chair for Cycle 7.

Testimonials

Discover Our Impact on Academia and Industry

LaserNetUS drives innovation by providing open access to advanced laser facilities, enabling researchers to push the boundaries of fields like fusion energy, material science, and medical technologies. Our collaborative network bridges academia and private industry, fostering R&D initiatives with significant commercial and societal impact. We also play a key role in training the next generation of scientists and engineers through hands-on experience at premier user facilities. Learn more about how LaserNetUS impacts academia and private industry by clicking the buttons below.

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