Kolker, Digon Selected for Distinguished Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program

June 9, 2026 | By Hannah Halusker | Contact media relations

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The National Laboratory of the Rockies’ (NLR’s) Amanda Kolker and David Digon have been selected as fellows in the ninth cohort of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oppenheimer Science & Energy Leadership Program (OSELP).

The selection recognizes Kolker, laboratory program manager (LPM) for geothermal research, and Digon, director of the Laboratory Protection Office, as “exceptional professionals who have the potential to contribute significantly to DOE’s work, whether at DOE or in national labs, academia, or industry.” OSELP is facilitated by the National Laboratory Directors’ Council.

As fellows, Kolker and Digon will participate in a year-long series of workshops in Washington, D.C., and at national laboratories, covering the spectrum of DOE’s missions and operations. Twenty other leaders from across the national laboratory complex are part of the ninth cohort, which launched in January.

Almost halfway through the program, Kolker and Digon have already visited Sandia, Lawrence Livermore, Brookhaven, and Savannah River national laboratories, as well as the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. At each stop, fellows gain a broad understanding of the national laboratories’ missions, capabilities, and evolving roles in addressing national challenges in energy, security, and scientific discovery.

A key benefit of the program is the opportunity to deepen collaborations across the national laboratory system, which is especially useful for Kolker.

“Since the geothermal research community is pretty small, we lean pretty heavily on collaborations across the lab complex,” Kolker said.

And because NLR is one of the younger laboratories in the DOE complex, Kolker also sees value from OSELP in observing how other laboratories have evolved over time.

“A lot of labs have had many iterations of mission change and development,” Kolker said. “It’s fascinating to see how other labs have responded to that over time from a technology and science perspective but also from a human and culture perspective. I hope to bring some of those insights back to NLR.”

Kolker has more than 15 years of professional experience as a geothermal geologist, specializing in exploration and characterization of geothermal resources for a range of energy applications. She joined NLR in 2019 as a research scientist and has served as NLR’s LPM for geothermal technologies since 2022.

"We are excited that Amanda has been selected for this distinguished opportunity. The program seeks to develop already exceptional leaders, and Amanda certainly fits that description,” said John Farrell, associate laboratory director for Energy Security and Systems Innovation. “Her deep technical expertise in volcanology and geochemistry paired with thought-leadership for the lab's geothermal portfolio is a true asset for the lab and our partners."

Digon, who leads laboratory protection programs focused on physical security, emergency management, and risk analysis, is similarly interested in the networking opportunities provided by OSELP.

“The great thing is every DOE lab is represented in our cohort, so I'll have one or two points of contact for every lab going forward. If there's ever a question about how another lab is handling a problem, I have someone who can get me in touch with the right people,” Digon said.

Mentorship is also key in OSELP. During the program, fellows engage with former laboratory directors, DOE leaders, and private-sector executives who volunteer their time to help develop the next generation of national laboratory leadership.

“It’s an interesting network of mentors that the program brings together that really helps to provide a lot of different perspectives that you wouldn't get through another program,” Digon said.

Since joining the laboratory in 2024, Digon has helped guide the development of new classified research capabilities and security infrastructure at NLR. He was nominated for OSELP by Dan Beckley, associate laboratory director for facilities and operations.

“Dave has consistently distinguished himself through strong operational leadership, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach that strengthens the teams and programs around him. He brings a thoughtful perspective to complex safety and operational challenges and has earned a reputation as someone others trust and want to work with,” Beckley said.

“The Oppenheimer Science & Energy Leadership Program is a strong fit for Dave, and this recognition reflects both the impact he has already made and the leadership potential he continues to demonstrate,” he added.

Prior to joining NLR, Digon worked for 14 years at DOE’s Nevada Field Office in a variety of positions, culminating in a role as the deputy assistant manager for safeguards, security, and emergency management at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Since its inception in 2016, OSELP has focused on identifying and developing exceptional scientists and engineers who can materially advance DOE’s mission of security and prosperity for America’s energy future.