Director, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Christopher Deeney named Director of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics

May 17, 2022

The University has announced that Christopher Deeney has been appointed as the new director of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, after he served as both deputy director and interim director of the lab. A leader in science and innovation, Deeney brings extensive experience to the role, having ran complex operations at multiple nationally-recognized laboratories.

Read the full announcement

Laser Lab overview

The Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is a unique national resource for research and education in science and technology. It operates two world class laser facilities and a number of smaller support facilities, powered by a workforce of nearly 400 employees and 50+ graduate students.

More about the position

The Director sets the strategic vision for LLE, and ensures the successful execution of the lab’s scientific and technical mission.

Reporting to the University of Rochester’s Vice President for Research and a member of the President’s cabinet, the Director is accountable for the development and implementation of LLE’s strategic and scientific vision, and for all aspects of its work to implement that vision to the satisfaction of sponsors and partners.

The Director is also responsible for managing LLE’s relationship with federal sponsors, notably the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and for representing the Laboratory to the Department of Energy, Congress, and the community of national-lab partners.

Search committee

In addition to working with the search firm Opus Partners, a University search committee was established to help vet candidates and fill the Director position. Explore a list of committee members in the drop-down.

Search committee members

Duncan Moore (Chair): Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor of Optical Engineering Science, Professor of Optics, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Business Administration in the William E Simon Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Rochester
Clayton Cox: Assistant Director for Federal Relations, Office of Government and Community Relations, University of Rochester
Wendi Heinzelman: Professor and Dean, Hajim School, University of Rochester
Steven Manly: Professor of Physics, Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester
Riccardo Betti: Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Chief Scientist for LLE, University of Rochester
Mingsheng Wei: Senior Scientist and Manager of the National Laser Users’ Facility, LLE, University of Rochester
John Bruning: UR Board Member, Chair of the LLE Advisory Committee
Kim Budil: Director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Member of the LLE Advisory Committee
Donna Strickland: Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo; Nobel Prize winner; Member of the LLE Advisory Committee
Dustin Froula: Senior Scientist and Director of the Plasma and Ultrafast Laser Science and Engineering Division, LLE; Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester
Connor Williams: Graduate Student, University of Rochester (doing thesis research at LLE)