Distinguished Researcher Elisa Miller-Link Appreciates Mentors in Track and Career Tracks, Passing the Torch On

Aug. 1, 2023 | By Ernie Tucker | Contact media relations

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Distinguished Researcher Elisa Miller-Link has forged a reputation as a passionate supporter of mentorship during her 10 years at NREL.

For Miller-Link, it is only natural to pass such mentoring along to others. In her opinion, she has greatly benefited, both personally and in her professional career, from the men and women who have advised her.

Portrait of a woman — Elisa Miller-Link. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

Miller-Link noted a number of instances where her life was positively impacted.

She recalled a “really great chemistry teacher” at Moon Township High School near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who steered what she called herself, “a fairly average student,” into developing a thirst for science.

There were also her older brothers who competed in track and field in high school—and guided her to try the technical sports of triple jump (an event using a hop, skip, and a jump to cover distance) and pole vaulting. “You don’t just rely on speed, but use other strengths to excel,” she said.

Indeed, the analytical Miller-Link continued to compete in track as a walk-on athlete at Boston University, earning a partial scholarship as a junior and senior on the Terriers squad. Physical activity, she said, is part “of what keeps me sane.”

But perhaps the biggest example of mentorship for her is how a series of NREL senior researchers—including Craig Perkins, Garry Rumbles, and Jao van de Lagemaat—helped her write a successful proposal for a director’s fellowship after her graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder with her Ph.D.

“A big reason why I’m where I’m at is mentorship,” Miller-Link said. “Having people around me who have championed me has positioned me to take advantage of opportunities. I’m so thankful for that throughout my career. “

Once at the laboratory, she benefited from a year of mentoring by Deputy Laboratory Director and Chief Operating Officer Julie Baker via a mentorship program through NREL’s Human Resources. “To be able to see how she handles situations, and get that one-on-one time, was cool,” Miller-Link said.

Miller-Link joined NREL's Women’s Network, now an employee resource group (ERG), and despite some uncertainty about whether the group had the bandwidth, co-led the Mentor Network Working Group for the first Creating Connections Program. For the past few years, the Creating Connections Program organized by this group has paired about 150 mentors with mentees across the laboratory.

A woman helps a group of young men and women build a mechanical device. — Elisa Miller-Link works with undergrad students in 2019 building a solar collector in a mini-semester at NREL, interacting with scientists and researchers. *Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL*

“She has always been a valuable contributor to our team and mentoring program, and she brings great ideas,” researcher Nicole Mendoza said.

Miller-Link also co-led efforts to use the feature film “Picture a Scientist” at NREL to raise awareness for women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as well as some of the barriers women face in the field. Miller-Link felt this 2020 documentary, and the subsequent discussions it sparked, were constructive for NREL’s evolution.

“It is important that people understand what could be going on out there and how to stand up for each other,” she said.

Workplace discussions build better institutions. “I don’t know if I’ve had a blind eye toward discrimination against women or had people who have sheltered me,” Miller-Link said. “I haven’t had the experience personally, but I know discrimination is happening.”

Although she has stepped back from the Women’s Network ERG leadership these days, she is a strong supporter. “I understand how critical it is to make sure others are also given the opportunity to be mentored,” she said. “Not necessarily has to be by me, but getting others motivated and understanding what they can contribute to other people. That way, a lot more people can be impacted.”

This same philosophy persists. She currently mentors or co-mentors several postdocs and takes the role seriously. “They only have three years here, so I want them to have the most productive experience possible,” she said.

Understanding interpersonal dynamics also enriches her research. Miller-Link is focused these days on reexamining ammonia generation. Industry today uses the Haber-Bosch process that fixes nitrogen with hydrogen to produce ammonia, a key part in the manufacture of plant fertilizers.

However, Miller-Link explained, this is an energy-intensive process with a large carbon footprint. “If we can find alternatives, it will not only be good for the crops but then also ammonia could be a hydrogen carrier and direct fuel,” she said.

With a number of Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) programs in the area of ammonia production, and signs of increasing U.S. Department of Energy support, Miller-Link said she believes that this area of research will continue to grow during the next several years. “And NREL will have a big footprint,” she added.

“We have a bunch of people looking at it from different angles,” Miller-Link said. Some are investigating the applied ways to modify the Haber-Bosch process. Others, such as herself, are looking at the fundamental research options, exploring catalysis and electrochemistry in ammonia manufacturing.

Miller-Link, who recently gave birth to her first child, Nora, said life is great these days. “I’m really happy where I’m at personally and scientifically,” she said. Not only is she seeing programs she values grow and expand, but she is heading into new research areas that she had not imagined even few years ago.

And although she and her husband, Richie, look forward to raising Nora in a world of opportunity, she also is committed to ensuring her mentees flourish. “I’ll take some time off, but I don’t want to miss anything”—including the chance to help one more young scientist find a way on a career path.

After all, mentoring is what made her who she is today.

Miller-Link was one of seven NREL staff to receive the Distinguished Member of Research Staff (DMRS) designation in 2023. She was recognized for “outstanding scientific contributions to nanomaterial synthesis and processing, photoelectron spectroscopy, photo- and electro-catalysis, and solar fuels research; and enduring commitment to mentoring and development of early career researchers."

The DMRS designation is intended to provide greater recognition to NREL researchers. It should also position individuals to work in more strategic and technical leadership roles, with continued expectations for their contributions to further enhance NREL's reputation and mission objectives.