Rian Lund Dahlberg

STEMM Workforce Development | Postsecondary Education Systems | Science of Mentorship | Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Career Development | Faculty Rewards & Incentives | Program & Project Management

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About

All I want to do is just change the systems that don't work. But with evidence to support those changes. As a "recovering physicist," I strive to understand and enhance the career paths available to and explored by the current and future scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals - the critical STEMM workforces of today and tomorrow. For 13 years, I have lead and supported teams as we develop robust and dynamic portfolios of evidence-based policy and resources on how to strengthen STEMM career development opportunities; create more innovative and accessible postsecondary pathways; and enhance recruitment, retention, and engagement in STEMM research and education systems. I am a strategic leader who focuses on supporting colleagues near and far in their career journeys by translating research into policies within my own workplaces and beyond.

Experience

  • The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (14 yrs 7 mos)
    • Director, Workforce and STEMM Career Development Projects
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

      Develops, implements, and manages a dynamic and relevant portfolio of projects related to workforce development and STEMM Career navigation to advance the mission of the Science and Engineering Education and Workforce Program at the National Academies. Project topics include: - Science of Mentorship across STEMM Sectors - Work-based Learning and Industry-University Interfaces - The Expanding Roles of Community Colleges - Faculty, Postdoctoral, and Graduate Student Career Development and Advancement - Emerging Research Institutions Development and Innovation - Defense Research Capacity at HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and Other MIs Serves as a Project Advisor for relevant projects across the National Academies.

    • Co-Director, Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education
      Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

      This long-term project is based on the 2018 report, Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and has the goal of "making higher education a place where everyone can work and learn without experiencing sexual harassment." The Action Collaborative brings together leaders from academic and research institutions and key stakeholders to collaboratively work toward and share targeted actions on addressing and preventing sexual harassment across all disciplines and among all people in higher education.

    • Project Director, Reenvisioning the Future of STEM Research at Emerging Research Institutions
      Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

      An NSF-funded national summit to explore ways to facilitate engagement with communities and sectors across the United States in academic R&D, discuss strategies to improve the coordination of STEM research at Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs), and elucidate the unique roles these institutions serve within the STEM research enterprise and national efforts to increase research and development capacity.

  • Penn State University (6 yrs 7 mos)
    • Research Assistant - Physics
      Jun 2007 - Dec 2011 · 4 yrs 7 mos

      Laboratory of Professor Peter Schiffer, Ph.D. - Experimental low temperature research on geometrically frustrated magnets, focusing on rare earth pyrochlores - Used commercially available and custom-build SQUID magnetometers, with LN2, LHe, and Dilution refrigeration systems - Coordinated with collaborators at partner universities and federal facilities for sample development and preparation and measurement

    • Teaching Assistant-Physics
      Jun 2005 - May 2007 · 2 yrs

      Facilitated and graded laboratory sections for introductory physics courses on classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.

  • LANSCE Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory
    Jul 2008 - Aug 2008 · 2 mos

    5th LANSCE Neutron Scattering School: Magnetism in Bulk and Nanostructured Materials

  • Research Internship at University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Jun 2004 - Feb 2005 · 9 mos

    Department of Materials Sciences Research Supervisor: Professor Max Lagally, Ph.D. - Research focus: SiGe alloy growth on miscut silicon substrates

  • Vassar College (3 yrs 9 mos)
    • Production Manager
      Sep 2000 - May 2004 · 3 yrs 9 mos

      Volunteer Theatrical Production Management and Technical Oversight, including: - Traditional and non-traditional theatrical spaces - Experience with lighting, scenic, prop and special effects designs - Productions included “Hurly Burly”, “Titus Andronicus”, “West Side Story”, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and approximately fifteen others

    • Susan Stein Shiva Theater - Technical Director; Assistant Technical Director
      Sep 2000 - May 2004 · 3 yrs 9 mos

      - Maintained all equipment and technical aspects of the student run theatre - Reviewed proposed technical designs for safety requirements - Advised external users on production schedules - Coordinated with other staff and users to determine and schedule logistical requirements