SLAC welcomes new communications director

FARNAZ KHADEM has joined the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory as its new director of communications. Khadem brings to the lab more than a decade of experience directing scientific communications efforts, primarily in the life sciences. She will lead development of SLAC communications strategy for both internal needs and external audiences, from the Department of Energy to the science-curious public.

Khadem joins SLAC from Life Technologies Corporation, a manufacturer of instrument systems used in genetics studies, where she served as senior director of corporate communications and public relations for four years. Before that, she led communications, media relations and public relations efforts in the life sciences at the University of California-Irvine and the World Anti-Doping Agency. She has lived and traveled abroad extensively during posts with the U.S. Foreign Service Diplomatic Corps in Israel, Italy and Washington, D.C. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

“SLAC has a well-earned reputation as a scientific center of excellence, and I’m excited to be a part of the important work being done here every day,” Khadem said.

Read the full announcement on the SLAC Today website.

—Shawne Workman