Rachael Lemos is a software developer in Computing’s Applications, Simulations, & Quality Division, or ASQ. She’s a great example of the Lab’s student success, as she was a summer intern before landing a full-time job. She holds two B.S. degrees: Computer Science and Business Administration from Oregon State and the University of Oregon, respectively. Like many Lab employees who continue their education, Rachael is now pursuing a master’s through the University of Illinois.

Rachael works in LLNL’s Environmental Restoration Department, also known as ERD, which conducts environmental remediation, characterization, and monitoring for the DOE. Why does an environmental restoration program need software experts like Rachael? One of her tasks, for instance, is developing and maintaining a project planning and management system that the ERD uses for scheduling and tracking work. Another application Rachael supports is used to manage the lifecycle of environmental data—from regulatory requirements to sample analysis and reporting.

“The ERD is responsible for the remediation of soil and groundwater at the Lab. My work allows the department to efficiently and effectively get the job done,” she explains. Rachael’s projects rely on a technology stack that of Python with a Django framework, an Oracle database, a Kendo web framework, and Selenium for testing.

Rachael says her job is “challenging and always evolving,” and she especially likes her teammates. She states, “Everyone in my group is hard working with a great sense of humor.”

When she’s not coding, Rachael shares her knowledge with Girls Who Code clubs in Livermore schools. “It’s really rewarding to see the students get excited about coding and STEM, and to broaden their idea of what it means to work in a STEM field,” she says.

As shown in the photo above, Rachael loves spending time outdoors whether it’s running, hiking, rock climbing, or paddle boarding. Her two dogs often accompany her (though not up on a rock face!).

—Holly Auten