Setareh Sarrafan
Visible Spectrum is a series to spotlight talented and dedicated women employees across the Lab
June 13, 2024
Setareh Sarrafan is a software delivery manager at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and works with multiple institutions across the national lab complex to help develop and implement software. She is dedicated to collaborating with those at the Lab and beyond to build tools to help scientists solve the world’s most difficult problems. She believes that increasing the number of under-represented populations at the Lab is important. This should include reaching out to younger people to recruit them for STEM careers while simultaneously working on retention by creating a culture and community at the Lab that supports them and allows them to thrive.
Outside the Lab, Setareh volunteers at the Oakland Animal Services shelter and the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. She also enjoys food, travel, and being outdoors.
What inspired you to work at Berkeley Lab?
I’m inspired by how teams can develop and improve systems that enable scientists to solve the world’s biggest challenges. I strive to remove blockers and obstacles so the teams I work with can successfully develop and implement systems, features, and fixes for our users and stakeholders. I work with amazing people at Berkeley Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL). I work with the JGI Analysis Workflow Service (JAWS) team and the National Microbiome Data Collaborative (NMDC) program, a collaboration between Berkeley Lab, LAN, and PNNL.
What have you been most proud of in your work?
When the processes make the team happier, their work is better, and the community and scientists benefit. And I am happy to support wonderful people who care about their work and the world around them. I recently received my certificate and pin for a combined 25 years of service with the California State University system, the University of California, and the Lab! When I reflect on the last 25 years, I can easily say that the people I work with at LBNL are some of the nicest and most dedicated I've known.
Do you have tips you'd recommend for someone looking to enter and/or succeed in your field of work?
Process improvement takes time and patience. Iterative improvements, open communication, honesty, and caring about the team make a big difference.
How can our community engage more women, girls, and other underrepresented groups in STEM?
Reaching out to younger audiences and improving hiring practices to get more women of color at the Lab are important steps. Community and culture are as important and required to help women thrive and be able to focus on their research instead of being frustrated and leaving due to unfair salaries and promotions, microaggressions, and an unhealthy work environment.
