Carlos Valdez
About Carlos Valdez
Carlos Valdez is a scientist currently working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he has been employed since 2009. He specializes in synthetic chemistry and leads a team focused on identifying chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.
Work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Carlos Valdez has worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) since 2009, currently holding the position of scientist. His role involves serving on a specialized team that identifies unknown chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threat substances. Prior to his current position, he was a research assistant at LLNL from 2001 to 2003. Valdez's contributions at LLNL include leading a multidisciplinary team that discovered the first nerve-agent antidote capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Education and Expertise
Carlos Valdez holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Florida International University, where he studied from 1995 to 2000. He furthered his education at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Organic Chemistry from 2001 to 2006. Additionally, he studied at the Scripps Research Institute from 2006 to 2008. His educational background supports his expertise in synthetic chemistry and forensic science.
Background
Carlos Valdez's early education includes attending Miami Senior High School. His scientific career began with undergraduate research at Florida International University from 1995 to 2000. He then worked as a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, from 2001 to 2006. Valdez has also gained experience at the National Cancer Institute and Rigel Pharmaceuticals, where he worked as Scientist I from 2008 to 2009.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Carlos Valdez has received several awards recognizing his contributions to science and security. Notable awards include the 2022 Global Security Directorate Spot Award, the 2021 Global Security Directorate Silver and Gold Awards, the 2020 Physical and Life Sciences Directorate Award, and the 2019 LLNL Mid-Career Research Award. These accolades reflect his significant impact in his field.