Lisa Y. Hazel (Fed)

Lisa Hazel is an Administrative Specialist for the International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) within the Director's Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In her current position, Lisa is primarily responsible for coordinating and managing the NIST PREP (Professional Research Experience Program), as well as overseeing other STEM programs supported by IAAO. A key aspect of her role is to foster collaborations with NIST staff, academic institutions, and external stakeholders, ensuring that NIST’s educational and research opportunities are accessible to talented students and emerging researchers in STEM fields.

An integral part of Lisa’s current responsibilities is overseeing the PREP ServiceNow program, a crucial platform that facilitates the management and coordination of all PREP program activities on the Gaithersburg campus. As the primary administrator of this system, Lisa ensures that all aspects of the PREP program—from participant registration to project tracking—are efficiently managed. The ServiceNow platform streamlines communication between students, mentors, and NIST staff, ensuring that program milestones are met, resources are allocated, and progress is monitored effectively. By maintaining this system, Lisa ensures the program runs smoothly and all participants receive the support they need to succeed in their research. 

Another aspect of her duties is to work closely with both NIST staff and academic partners to ensure that students involved in the program are provided with a comprehensive and enriching research experience. Her duties include tracking the progress of participants, coordinating program logistics, and troubleshooting any challenges that arise during the program’s operation. Lisa also plays a key role in liaising with universities and other research organizations to enhance the program's outreach and impact, further cementing NIST’s reputation as a leader in STEM education and research.

Lisa's role also includes performing oversight of federally funded awards related to STEM programs as a Federal Program Officer (FPO). In this capacity, she tracks and ensures that the recipients of various awards are meeting their performance milestones, while adhering to federal regulations and requirements. Although the FPO function supports the broader STEM initiatives, it is secondary to her primary focus on the PREP program and the associated ServiceNow platform.

In addition to her work with the PREP program and ServiceNow, Lisa assists with Property Management duties, including coordinating onsite inventories of supplies and equipment, and supporting the Property Management Officer (PMO) to ensure NIST's resources are accounted for and compliant with federal regulations.

As an advocate for STEM education and professional development, Lisa also actively participates in outreach efforts, including attending national conferences, career fairs, and other events. These efforts are aimed at raising awareness about NIST’s academic programs, promoting STEM careers, and increasing diversity in the field. By connecting with students and early-career professionals, Lisa helps to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and ensure that NIST remains at the forefront of innovation and educational excellence.

Lisa’s extensive experience with both the NIST PREP program and the PREP ServiceNow system, along with her commitment to supporting STEM talent and academic partnerships, makes her an essential contributor to NIST’s mission to advance science, technology, and innovation.