The Nuclear Science Laboratory recently hosted two distinguished visits by elected officials. On August 6, 2025, Congressman Rudy Yakym visited the NSL as part of a tour highlighting innovative research occurring at the University of Notre Dame. Rep. Yakym (ND MBA ‘19) was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and represents South Bend in Congress. He currently serves on the House Ways & Means Committee. A 4th generation Hoosier and South Bend native, Rep. Yakym received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University South Bend and an Executive MBA from University of Notre Dame.

On September 20, 2025, the NSL hosted the Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has served as the Governor of New Mexico since 2019. Prior to her election as Governor, she represented New Mexico’s first district in the House of Representatives. Governor Lujan Grisham is also a supporter of workforce development programs aimed at getting more young people involved in STEM and more deeply engaged with the national labs in New Mexico. She has specifically cited national security-related demands and the growing importance of nuclear medicine as two of the many reasons to bolster the state’s STEM workforce. It was highlighted that five recent NSL Ph.D. graduates were subsequently hired at Los Alamos National Laboratory and several other graduates now serve in leadership roles at the laboratory.