Seminar Presentation by Dr. Susan Baez-Cazull, Principal Geochemist at Noblis Technical Advisor for the National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program

Seminar Title:
Research opportunities within nuclear forensics for graduate and
undergraduate students and faculty

Abstract:
In the event of a nuclear detonation in the United States (U.S.), the interdiction of a nuclear device, or the seizure of nuclear materials, there will be tremendous pressure to attribute the source of the material, establish responsibility, and ensure the prevention of another
incident. Along with intelligence and law enforcement investigations, nuclear forensics is one of the three pillars supporting attribution. The field of nuclear forensics includes the collection, analysis, and evaluation of radiological or nuclear materials, devices, and debris
after an event or interdiction. The nuclear forensics scientific workforce is situated primarily in national and defense laboratories, but in recent decades has experienced a decline in numbers. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office has implemented an expertise development program in order to off-set these declines and sustain a workforce of educated and trained scientists skilled in areas needed for nuclear forensics. Since
its inception in 2008, the National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program (NNFEDP) addresses this challenge holistically, through support to undergraduate and graduate students, university faculty, as well as post-doctoral researchers at the national laboratories in fields which are directly relevant to nuclear forensics. In that time, the
program has placed 51 Ph.D.’s directly into national laboratories and U.S. federal agencies, sustaining the technical expertise required to execute this critically important national security mission.

. Information for opportunities, can be found in the following link:
www.dhs.gov/national-technical-nuclear-forensics-center