On May 29, FECM welcomed the 2025 class of Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) students at a kickoff event at DOE in Washington, D.C.
Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
May 30, 2025
minute read time
What an exciting year! 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program, which was created in 1995 to strengthen a pipeline of future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals. Designed to provide hands-on research and development experience under the mentorship of leading energy experts, the MLEF program has evolved significantly over the last three decades, transforming research projects into real-world innovations and student experiences into impactful careers.
The MLEF Program’s 2025 class and speakers at the kickoff event.
On May 29, the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) welcomed the 2025 class of undergraduate and graduate students at a kickoff event at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. This year’s cohort includes 49 undergraduate and master’s students, representing 39 academic institutions and 19 states, and the District of Columbia.
FECM’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Tala Goudarzi, welcomed the students by highlighting the critical role of fossil energy in ensuring national energy security and supporting economic future. She underscored the importance of the next generation of STEM leaders in driving the technological advancements that will shape the future of the energy industry.
“The science discovered and developed at the national laboratories over the past several decades has greatly benefited both our country and the world, by reducing energy costs and improving accessibility,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Goudarzi. “This program is significant and something you should all take pride in. It has already made a remarkable impact—and will continue to do so—by helping shape the next generation of STEM leaders, who have a critical role in driving innovation across all fields.”
Throughout the day, students heard from a range of speakers and gained valuable insight into the history and mission of FECM and its research, development, and demonstration portfolio. Students also had the opportunity to network with DOE leadership and begin building the professional relationships that will shape their experience in the months ahead.
The Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Marianne Walck, shared, “The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore real-world energy challenges while gaining experience in a national laboratory setting. At NETL, you’ll connect with world-class researchers, contribute to energy research projects, and build relationships with students from universities across the country.”
This year’s participants will conduct research either in person or virtually with several DOE offices and laboratories. The program will conclude in August with a technical forum where participants will present their final research findings.
Keep up to date with this year’s class!
Once again, congratulations to all of the students who will be completing their research with DOE this summer, and we look forward to seeing how your research evolves. To those interested in learning more about the MLEF Program, visit the MLEF website and follow FECM on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X to keep up to date with this year’s class and the individual research projects.