Dr. Monica Regalbuto, center, who is DOE’s assistant secretary for environmental management, surveys progress on recovery efforts at EM’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
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Dr. Monica Regalbuto is DOE’s assistant secretary for environmental management. In this role, Dr. Regalbuto provides the leadership necessary to continue the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from five decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research.
DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) conducts cleanup operations across the DOE complex in a manner that integrates safety, health requirements, and controls into all work activities. In this way, EM places protection to the workers, public, and environment as its highest priority. Restoration of the environment, along with deactivation and demolition of old, contaminated facilities, and disposition of wastes are major activities taking place at many key sites.
Prior to serving as assistant secretary, Dr. Regalbuto was EM’s associate principal deputy assistant secretary. In that role, she applied her deep technical expertise to reduce technical risk and uncertainty in EM’s cleanup mission across the DOE complex. She also was the deputy assistant secretary, fuel cycle technologies, in the Office of Nuclear Energy.
1) What inspired you to work in (science, technology, engineering, and math) STEM?
As a young child growing up in Mexico, I had a natural interest in science and math, and my parents recognized that. It wasn’t until high school that I really began to cultivate my interest in these fields and investigate careers in them. I started college seeking a degree in engineering at a time when many women were not working in this field. I noticed that few women and minorities entered the STEM fields, and that influenced my decision to support and promote careers in STEM.
2) What excites you about your work at the Energy Department?
In my current role in EM, I enjoy being able to combine my technical background and management experience from the national laboratory system and private industry. I also learned a lot about policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I was part of a study team. It is exciting to have an opportunity to use all of my skills in this dynamic environment. During my time at DOE, I have been able to work in a variety of management positions in the nuclear programs, which has allowed me to view DOE’s work from different perspectives. As a result, I’ve had a wide-ranging involvement in nuclear cleanup and nuclear energy. This is gratifying work, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve the federal government.
3) How can our country engage more women, girls, and other underrepresented groups in STEM?
I have always been a strong advocate for women entering STEM careers. We continue to see more women in sciences. I take advantage of any opportunity to share my career experiences through mentoring interns and fellows here at DOE. I continually encourage young women to explore their potential in STEM. I believe that our country should engage girls in math and science at a young age and connect them with female role models who succeed in these fields. And, I ask women who work in STEM to give back to the community and engage the schools to make sure STEM is well-represented in the curriculum. I used to do this when my children attended school in Chicago.
4) Do you have tips you'd recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?
I would say that a solid education is the foundation for anyone looking to enter this field. I was fortunate enough to have family members who supported me when I went on to obtain the best education offered at that time. I also encourage young people not to put limits on themselves, and remain open minded, no matter what job you have at any given time. You never know where you could end up. It has been my experience that one job can lead to another, and so on.
5) When you have free time, what are your hobbies?
I enjoy sewing and knitting, as well as going for walks. I am married and a mother of three adult children and I love being able to spend time with my family.
