Save the Date: New Studio Open House Oct. 10
The Communications team is excited to announce that construction is complete on the new Ames Lab Audio-Visual Studio in 132 TASF. The facility includes improved lighting, soundproofing, audio, and projection capabilities.
Studio construction work was performed by contractor Bergstrom Construction over the summer and was funded by the Strategic Lab Renovation Budget. Funding also included equipment purchases.
While the Communications team is still putting the finishing touches on the new space, they are also looking forward to welcoming Ames Lab employees for a tour and a chance to participate in a video project inspired by our new facility and capabilities.
Please mark your calendars for:
Audio-Visual Studio Open House
Thursday, Oct. 10, 1-3 p.m.
132 TASF
More details will follow in the September issue of Insider.
Lanyard poll results are in!
The results are in from the lanyard strap design poll. The winners are options C, F, and G. The Laboratory will order these and have them available for you soon, along with all of the clip options. Thank you to everyone who voted! Questions about the Badging Project? Visit bit.ly/badgingproject
LEADership Development Program completes first year
The Ames National Laboratory LEADership Development Program recently completed its first year of programming. The program
was initiated by Human Resources and Diversity Director Lisa Negus in June 2023 to create an inclusive and collaborative supplement to existing leadership development opportunities. All Ames Lab employees who had supervisory duties were eligible to participate.
The program’s purpose is to enhance leadership skills and strengthen collaboration through a focus on communication and effective team leadership. The group delved into common leadership challenges including managing conflict, developing credibility as a leader, mentoring, managing employee performance and boosting team productivity, by applying recognized best practices to realistic scenarios.
Fifteen Ames Lab employees completed the program, representing Science, Operations and Planning and Performance: Amy Helgerson, Ben Ueland, Carol Bergman, Gaoyuan Ouyang, Jennifer Brockpahler, Jordan Tiarks, Katie Augustus, Laura Graves, Lori Johnston, Marek Kolmer, Meredith Ohrt, Mitch Amundson, Nancy Turner, Rhonda Jones and Zhengzheng Xu.
Anonymous participant feedback described the program as empowering, enlightening, helpful, worthwhile, broadening the perspective of a leadership role in the lab and providing a positive focus on handling difficult responsibilities.
Ceremony and poster session highlights summer intern research
The Laboratory hosted an awards ceremony and poster session for 36 summer interns and five visiting faculty who participated in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program, Community College Internship (CCI) program, Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) and VFP Student Program. During a luncheon for participants and mentors, students and faculty received a certificate of achievement presented by Ames Lab Director Adam Schwartz, and Education and Outreach Program Specialist Kelly Bergman. The ceremony was followed by an open house poster session where students presented their research to attendees. Education and Outreach thanks all the Ames Lab mentors and Co-PIs for their time and commitment to making these experiences a success.
Professional Development
Ames Lab Book Club begins monthly meetings soon
You're invited to join the Ames Laboratory Book Club as we begin reading Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams by Stefanie K. Johnson. This book reveals the unexpected ways that well-intentioned leaders undermine their teams, explains how to recognize the myths and misperceptions that drive these behaviors, and provides practical strategies for working differently.
The club will meet monthly from October - May to discuss 30-40 pages of content. L&D will provide each participant with a copy of the book. This is a great opportunity for professional development and to network with colleagues throughout the Laboratory.
If interested, please complete this form by Friday, Sept. 6 to receive additional information. Questions can be emailed to Nancy Turner, nturner@ameslab.gov.
Core Strengths Workshop coming in October
Learning & Development will offer a Core Strengths workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Core Strengths begins with a personalized, scientifically-validated Strength Deployment Inventory assessment. Your results combined with the training can help you better understand your motives, strengths, and working style. The training also focuses on conflict tendencies, relationship intelligence, and how to more effectively manage conflict in the workplace.
If you are interested in attending the October session, a future session, or scheduling a team session, please complete our Core Strengths Interest Form. For questions or more information, contact Nancy Turner, nturner@ameslab.gov.
Announcements and Events
Required training reminders start in September
Beginning Sept. 3, all Ames Lab personnel will start receiving reminder emails from Workday before any upcoming required training is due. These reminders will be sent 30 days before the expiration date, 15 days before, and on the expiration date itself. You can also log into your “My Learning” page in Workday any time to access all of your training. Questions? Please email Ames Lab Learning & Development at training@ameslab.gov.
Mark your calendars for the flu clinic in October
Iowa State University Wellbeing and occupational medicine will be hosting the annual free flu clinic event Oct. 7-18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at State Gym. More information will be announced as the date approaches.
Updated 2024-2025 flu vaccines will all be trivalent and will protect against an H1N1, H3N2 and a B/Victoria lineage virus. More information about this year's flu vaccine recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) can be found at this link.