INL Interns recognized for achievement, work outside of lab

More than 100 interns are finishing up their summer study at Idaho National Laboratory and heading back to school. One of those interns organized a service project. It’s something she’s done at every internship she’s had.

Katie Mummah is entering her senior year at the University of Illinois- Champagne. Mummah’s internship dealt with fuel models and simulation. However, four years ago at one of her internships she came up with the idea to do a service project a long with every internship. This year, Mummah organized a donation drive and fundraiser for “Operation Gratitude,” an organization that provides care packages to active military, wounded warriors, veterans, and first responders.

“”It’s really just an appreciation for the people I’m working with I was absolutely blown away by the donations I got from people,” said Mummah.

Mummah hopes to attend graduate school for nuclear engineering and says her biggest priority is to give back to help make the world a better place. “everything I do I want it to contribute to society I want to make sure I’m making society better,” said Mummah.

Mummah is just one of more than 100 interns from INL this summer.

Jamie Cookson, an intern with the communications department of the lab is entering her senior year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Some of her responsibilities included guiding tours at the site and writing articles for their internal and external outlets. “I could definitely see myself coming back here,” said Cookson.

Several Interns were recognized at an award ceremony on Thursday. Most of the awards are based on the posters they presented at the end of the internship. They’re listed below.

Best World Nuclear Energy Future Poster: 1st runner up: Ethan Nickerson, Master’s Student at Utah State University, Winner: Miranda Wachs, recent graduate of Skyline High School in Idaho Falls.

Best Enable Clean Energy Development: 1st runner up: Lucia Malozzi Studying at Suffolk Community College Ammerman Campus. Winners: Nathen Wood from University of Michigan and Kyler Egan student at Ririe High School.

Best Securing and Modernizing Critical Infrastructure: 1st runner up: Karen Kursteiner from California State University. Winner: Sean Salinas recent graduate from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Best Enabling INL Business and Support Operations: 1st runner up: Sara Palmerton student at University of Michigan. Winner: Rajiv Khadka PhD student at the University of Wyoming.

Best Digital/Graphics: 1st Runner Up: 1st Runner up: Sarah Stevenson from Kansas State University. Winner: Monica Gehri from Missouri university of Science and Technology.