As head of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, the nation’s largest federal sponsor of physical sciences research, Under Secretary Geri Richmond understands the vital role of higher education in advancing U.S. science and innovation. On Monday, November 18, she visited campus alongside Georgia Tech with Chief of Staff in the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation Ariel Marshall (Ph.D. CHEM '14) to meet with students and faculty and discuss future opportunities for collaboration.  

During the visit, Richmond and Marshall toured Regents’ Professor Thomas Orlando’s electron and photo induced chemistry on surfaces lab; the Invention Studio; Assistant Professor Akanksha Menon’s water-energy research lab; and the AI Maker Space.  

Richmond also joined the Women+ in Chemistry student group for a roundtable discussion. An advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM fields, Richmond is the founding director of the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh). COACh is a grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for all in science. 

Georgia Tech’s longstanding partnership with the DOE is centered on research and technology development aimed at advancing energy systems and promoting sustainability. The Institute plays a key role in the DOE’s national initiatives, contributing to transformative work in energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear power, and environmental sustainability. Through joint research programs, grants, and initiatives, Georgia Tech continues to drive innovation and push the boundaries of energy solutions for a sustainable future.  

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This story was first published in the Georgia Tech Institute Relations newsroom.