SLAC Today logo

SLAC Welcomes New Communications Director

(Photo - Farnaz Khadem)
New Director of Communications Farnaz Khadem. (Photo courtesy Farnaz Khadem.)

Together with the start of the New Year, today SLAC welcomes a new director for the Office of Communications. Farnaz 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.

"We're really excited to have someone with Farnaz's strategic vision join the laboratory and Operations Directorate senior management team,"  said Chief Operating Officer Alexander Merola. "She will help facilitate communication across the SLAC directorates, keeping all of us more well informed. Further, she well help us clearly define our external audiences and the messaging about the great science happening here."

"I'd also like to thank Mark Reichanadter for serving as acting communications director over the past several months," Merola said. "He's helped the group stay on target as well as prepare for a renewed focus under the new director."

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, the World Anti-doping Agency and more. 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 both a master's and bachelor's degree 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. "I look forward to working with the communications team and the directorates to create and implement an internal communications strategy that meets their needs, as well as generate greater awareness of SLAC's world-class science with external audiences."

Please join in welcoming the new director of communications and wishing her success at the lab.

—Shawne Workman
  SLAC Today, January 3, 2011