Unlocking the Future: Join LLNL’s Engaging Nuclear Science Security Workshop

Every year, university professors, students, and national lab researchers come together to discuss nuclear science and security. This year, they met at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for their annual workshop.

Known as the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium (NSSC), this gathering brought together over 90 participants, including students, postdocs, faculty, and scientists from various national labs. The event featured more than 30 presentations highlighting ongoing research and student projects, along with around 25 poster displays.

During the workshop, Huban Gowadia, a director at LLNL, spoke about global security challenges today. Colonel Jon Baker, a program manager at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), shared details about the university program related to nuclear security.

Participants had the opportunity to tour six notable LLNL facilities. These included high-tech areas like the National Ignition Facility and the Additive Manufacturing Lab. These visits helped attendees understand the practical applications of nuclear science.

The NSSC began in 2011, initially supported by a $25 million grant from the NNSA. This funding aimed to create a new generation of nuclear experts integrated with national labs. Since then, the NSSC has secured additional funding in 2016 and 2021, bringing the total to $75 million over 15 years.

Several partner universities were represented at the workshop, including UC Berkeley, Michigan State, and Texas A&M. Alongside them, scientists from national labs like Los Alamos and Oak Ridge also participated.

The NSSC’s main goal is to train future nuclear scientists and engineers while providing hands-on research experience. Since its inception, the consortium has supported 641 students and postdoctoral scholars, helping them earn 152 bachelor’s degrees, 115 master’s degrees, and 172 Ph.D. degrees.

Collaboration is key to the NSSC’s success. Students and faculty work closely with national lab scientists, focusing on both fundamental and applied nuclear sciences. Their research covers areas like nuclear physics, chemistry, and radiation detection, all aimed at enhancing nuclear security.

Since 2011, nearly 200 NSSC fellows have found roles in Department of Energy labs and government organizations. LLNL has hired 43 NSSC alumni, more than any other lab. In 2024, LLNL hosted 31 NSSC students and postdocs for research collaborations.

Over the past 13 years, NSSC students have contributed significantly to the field, publishing 506 peer-reviewed articles and delivering over 1,900 presentations on their research. This impressive output showcases their commitment to advancing nuclear science.

Organizing the recent NSSC meeting required teamwork, with individuals like Tomi Akindele, Bethany Goldblum, Lisa Felker, and Ava Benkhatar making significant contributions.