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J. Patrick Fitch

Deputy Laboratory Director for Science, Technology & Engineering (STE)

Pat Fitch DDSTE

Introduction

J. Patrick (Pat) Fitch, the Deputy Laboratory Director for Science, Technology, and Engineering (DDSTE), guides a full-spectrum research and development portfolio—from theory and computing and AI to dynamic laboratory and field experiments—strengthening core capabilities to meet today’s national priorities and evolving global challenges.

Background

Fitch has decades of experience steering scientific organizations and building cross-disciplinary teams. His leadership in applied science, computing, and national security helps guide DDSTE’s cutting-edge capabilities and contributions to Laboratory missions in nuclear weapons, global security, science, and energy. Before leading DDSTE, he was LANL Associate Laboratory Director for Chemical, Earth, and Life Sciences and the founding director of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, a national lab dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Earlier, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he drove advances on the human genome project, medical device design, imaging (optical, radar, ultrasonic, and x-ray), artificial neural networks, and computing, including work to develop and demonstrate the world’s fastest computer.

Education 

  • PhD, Electrical Engineering — Purdue University
  • BS, Physics— Loyola University Maryland
  • BS, Engineering — Loyola University Maryland
  • AAAS Fellow
  • 3 Secretary of Energy Achievement Awards
  • 2 FLC Excellence in Technology Transfer Awards
  • IEEE international best paper award
  • ABSA national best poster award
  • LLNL S&T Award
  • More than 35,000 citations

Area Managed

As DDSTE, Fitch ensures the Laboratory maintains deep, multidisciplinary scientific capabilities—spanning AI, biology, chemistry, energy, global security, high-performance computing, materials science, physics, and more—to advance its national security, science, and energy missions. He aligns these strengths across programs, associate level directorates, and partnerships, helping the nation stay ahead in an increasingly complex global landscape.