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Miles Walker is an honor student and cybersecurity major at Hampton University in Virginia. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to pursue a master’s degree and seek work in the technology sector, making his SURF experience a valuable opportunity to explore cybersecurity careers and work in the public sector. In his free time, Miles enjoys gaming, exercise, listening to music and playing tennis.

Sun Park is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Professor Eric Cornell’s lab at JILA. Originally from South Korea, she obtained her B.A. in physics and chemistry at Oberlin College in 2019 and started the Ph.D. program at University of Colorado Boulder. When not in the lab, she can be found hiking in the Rockies with her husband, Benton, and their dog, Cassiopeia.

As director of the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, Dr. Alyssa Rodrigues oversees the Center’s resources and efforts to help manufacturers improve their business. She also partners with the state to tackle challenges and capitalize on opportunities in Alaska’s manufacturing industry. Dr. Rodrigues previously served as a research economist and economic developer, and in her most recent role, as development manager for the state of Alaska, she managed the implementation of the Statewide Comprehensive Development Strategy. 

Patty Davidson is the deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Follow the division on LinkedIn and on X at @WHD_DOL.

As the executive director, Dayna Blanchard leads the MEP of LA as it works to help all Louisiana manufacturers grow and compete. She is responsible for several leadership functions including adherence to compliance standards, budgetary analysis and reporting, and formulation of organizational positions and performance goals. As director, she leads efforts to identify the needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers and build the MEP Center’s capabilities to meet those needs.

Joe serves as the Senior Advisor for Workforce Partnerships at Purdue MEP (the Indiana MEP Center). With a focus on connecting the manufacturing sector to training and funding sources, Joe advises industry partners on the availability of manufacturing training programs that will either upskill incumbent staff or provide a pipeline of employees with fundamental manufacturing skills.

George Sellers graduated from the University of Maryland in 2024 with a B.S. in biology. He will pursue a postbaccalaureate program at the National Institutes of Health in immunology research, which builds off his experience as a SURF student examining the structure of the NIST monoclonal antibody. Afterward, he intends to go to medical school and work as a physician-scientist. George also relishes training for triathlons.

For media inquiries, please contact lawrence.goodman [at] nist.gov (lawrence[dot]goodman[at]nist[dot]gov).

Joe Edmondson is a Supply Chain Specialist with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. In his role he manages Connex Oklahoma while helping state manufacturers integrate the latest supply chain concepts and technologies.

Edmondson is a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and holds an MBA from Northeastern State University. His ongoing studies and research include regional, national, and international supply chain operations.