STARS Program Nurtures EM’s Future Workforce Experts

Darian Moulden visits the Tennessee Valley Authority Shawnee Fossil Plant during her internship with the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) University Programs are building a workforce pipeline to help complete the legacy nuclear cleanup mission.

A cornerstone of that effort is the Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS) program. A unique pathway for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience and contribute to vital science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, STARS fosters the next generation of technical experts needed to carry out EM’s cleanup mission.

“The STARS program is a testament to DOE EM's commitment to cultivating the next generation of STEM professionals,” said Latrincy Bates, manager of the EM STARS program. “By investing in these talented students, we are ensuring a highly skilled workforce is ready to meet the complex challenges of tomorrow's environmental cleanup initiatives.”

STARS provides scholarships and paid summer internships to students pursuing STEM degrees that align with EM's research and operational goals in soil and groundwater remediation, deactivation and decommissioning, tank waste management, robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.

Supporting scholars throughout their academic and early career journeys, STARS offers financial support, professional development and mentorship. Scholars participate in a 10-week paid summer internship for two consecutive summers, gaining hands-on experience at EM sites and national laboratories across the nation. Upon completion, they can pursue a master's degree with continued program support or seek employment in EM and partner organizations.

Students from the 2024 STARS cohort are already contributing to EM's mission. Darian Moulden from Tennessee State University obtained a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and completed two internships at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) before securing an engineering position with Savannah River Site (SRS) contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions.

“The people at PGDP encouraged me, invested in my growth and truly believed in my future as an engineer. During one of the toughest semesters of pursuing my electrical engineering degree, it was comforting to know I had encouragement and support from people who believed in me,” Moulden said. “That experience reminded me of the importance of resilience, perseverance and community.”

Another 2024 cohort member, Xana Lee, received her bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering from Arizona State University and completed two internships at the Portsmouth Site before launching her career as a nuclear facility engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory over the summer.

“One of the most impactful parts of my experience was spending time in Piketon, where I faced challenges that strengthened my resilience and perspective,” Lee said of her internships. “I learned how to navigate unfamiliar environments, remain focused on my goals and continue pushing forward through difficult situations. Those experiences taught me independence, patience and the importance of staying grounded in who I am.”

Eleven students joined the 2026 cohort, pursuing degrees in fields such as computer science, environmental engineering, nuclear engineering and earth sciences. The scholars completed internships at the Hanford Site, SRS and Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center.

For more information, or to volunteer as a mentor for the 2027 cohort, contact Latrincy Bates at latrincy.bates@em.doe.gov.

-Contributor: Lauren Zack