November 2023
We hope you enjoy the November issue of SpotLight. We’d also like to hear from you. Send us your thoughts and suggestions, whether it’s what you like — or even what you don’t — about this magazine, or if there is something you would like to see in coming editions. You can reach us via email at osc [at] llnl.gov (osc[at]llnl[dot]gov).
Don't stop me now
Bumps, bruises, blocks and an occasional tumble are just par for the course for Anashe Bandari. The roller derby competitor enjoys the full contact sport at breakneck speeds on eight wheels.
As the wood turns: LLNL’s Fisher finds creative outlet in woodworking
As a child growing up in Livermore, John Fisher would accompany his father, Dennis, to the garage, where the woodworking tools were kept. Amid the sawdust, drills and tins of wood varnish, the younger Fisher absorbed knowledge of the craft that sparked an interest in woodworking that would remain steady over the years.
The zen of the gem
Every stone is a new challenge for Tayyab Suratwala. For him, within each one is a breathtaking gem waiting to emerge and dazzle – if the right sequence of cuts, angled perfectly, is applied with optical design, precision and artistry. The hobby has become an exercise in patience, waiting for the perfect gem to emerge.
Thriving in the wilderness
For Melissa Sale, the outdoors have always been part of her life. She recalls the carefree and adventurous spirit of her upbringing, when she spent countless hours exploring the outdoors. That background has turned into a love for backcountry hiking.
We are the robotics
Robots vs. lasers sounds like a good time for any kid who loves sci-fi and technology. For Paul Armstrong, it’s his reality. By day, he heads up an experimental team working on advanced laser applications; in his spare time, he guides ambitious high schoolers on a collision course with a worldwide robotics tournament.
