Dr. J. Matthew Kurley received his PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Chicago in 2016. He specialized in developing functionalized nano-based for scalable printing of light absorbers for solar applications. Following his defense, he was hired as a postdoc at Oak Ridge National Lab to work on molten salt chemistry, thermophysical properties, and corrosion. Dr. Kurley was hired to the Fuel Development Section at Oak Ridge as R&D Staff in 2020. He started working on materials synthesis and fabrication for nuclear applications. In particular, he utilizes sol-gel chemistry to produce U-bearing fuel kernel ceramics for the development of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel forms. These fuels can be used in both terrestrial and space applications in a variety of architectures. 

Dr. Mary Burkey is Staff Scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory working in national security applications after transitioning from a postdoc position in the Planetary Defense Group. Before coming to LLNL, she was a Mirzayan Fellow at the National Academies of Sciences for the Committee on International Security and Arms Control. She earned her PhD in Physics at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory and her bachelors’ degrees at North Carolina State University. 

Dr. Tracie Durbin is a Systems Research Analyst at Sandia National Laboratories, where she has been leading the Postdoctoral Research Program and Faculty Loan Program for Joint Appointments since November 2020. In this role, Dr. Durbin has been instrumental in enhancing the value of the postdoctoral research program, creating initiatives such as the Rio Grande Research SLAM, and advocating for postdocs at the labs.  Dr. Durbin has also contributed to the broader scientific community as a Board Member of the Graduate Fellowship for STEM Diversity and as a member of various councils and committees focused on workplace improvement, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.   Prior to her current role, Dr. Durbin held several key positions at Sandia, including leading and managing R&D projects in optics and sensor engineering, diagnostic science, and thermal analysis for nuclear weapon systems and satellite payloads. Her leadership in these areas has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Division 1000 Heart of Diversity Award and a team NNSA Defense Systems Programs Award of Excellence.  Dr. Durbin holds a PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. She has also been actively involved in volunteer activities, including serving as a Girl Scout Leader and participating in various school and community organizations focused on diversity and inclusion.