Angelina Loverde and Dr. Lance Garrison Selected for Mansfield Fellowship

NNSA employees Angelina Loverde and Dr. Lance Garrison have been chosen to participate in the Mansfield Fellowship Program. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1994, the fellowship program cultivates a corps of federal employees with practical, firsthand knowledge about Japan and its government. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. By participating in the program, Fellows gain insights into the political, economic, and strategic dimensions of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Mansfield Fellowship Program alumni return to federal service with extensive knowledge of Japanese language, society, culture, and its government, thereby strengthening the bonds between the United States and Japan.

Angelina Loverde is a Management Analyst in the Office of Management and Budget who develops standard operating procedures to document and improve internal processes. During her time as a Fellow in the NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program, she assisted with nuclear and radiological security workshops in Kazakhstan, China, and South Africa. Ms. Loverde majored in International Affairs and studied Chinese in college and was inspired to join the Peace Corps. Following graduation, Angelina worked as an English teacher in China and advanced her proficiency in Chinese while making lifelong friendships with other Peace Corps Volunteers.

Ms. Loverde’s objective in Japan is to study the Japanese government’s Green Growth Strategy to draw applicable policies to contribute to DOE initiatives on reducing carbon emissions in the United States. She is also interested in increasing her understanding of nuclear security cooperation between the United States and Japan, and plans to observe Japanese business practices and quality principles that can be applied to the U.S. federal government. Ms. Loverde studied Japanese for two years at the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC and looks forward to continuing her language and culture studies in Japan.

Dr. Lance Garrison is a Portfolio Manager for the Office of Radiological Security who works to reduce the global reliance on high-activity radioactive sources by encouraging the adoption and development of non-radioisotopic alternative technologies. Dr. Garrison studied physics and mathematics at the University of Missouri-Columbia and earned a Ph.D. in nuclear physics at Indiana University-Bloomington. His proudest accomplishment at NNSA is taking a leading role in creating the Office of Radiological Security’s alternative technology program. Since 2016, this new program has successfully expanded and is now an NNSA Agency Priority Goal.

As a Mansfield Fellow, Dr. Garrison will identify opportunities for new or expanded collaboration between NNSA and the government of Japan on radiological and nuclear security, scientific research, and development. Dr. Garrison plans to work with Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His primary goal is to serve as a communication bridge between Japanese ministries and DOE to expand cooperation on existing projects and identify opportunities for collaboration.

During their 12-month placement, working side-by-side with their counterparts in Japan’s ministries and agencies, the National Diet, and non-governmental organizations, Mansfield Fellows will deepen their understanding of Japan’s government and policymaking process. This experience—and the contacts the Fellows make in the Japanese government and in the business, professional, and academic communities—will contribute to their work in Japan and related programs and policies when they return to federal government service.