While the number of nuclear weapons has drastically reduced since the Cold War, the threat of a nuclear detonation remains a viable and concerning prospect. Several collaborative and interdisciplinary projects at OSU are actively addressing the prevention of nuclear terrorism and proliferation of nuclear weapons. The disciplines of robotics, analytical chemistry, nuclear science, and policy integrate to help reduce the possibility of nuclear material diversion for non-peaceful uses by state and non-state actors.  In this talk, Professor Palmer will provide a background on nuclear treaty verification and nonproliferation challenges. She will also discuss how ongoing projects at OSU, in partnership with national laboratories, are improving techniques to enhance the capability to detect nuclear material misuse.

Camille Palmer is an associate professor in the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Oregon State University. Prior to academics, she was a staff member in both the Thermonuclear Applications and Foreign and Improvised Nuclear Design groups at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She also supported the nuclear hardness and survivability of the Minuteman III as an engineer with the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Professor Palmer’s experience related to nuclear weapons and weapon effects informs and guides her research on interdisciplinary projects to support nuclear nonproliferation and arms control. She serves as the faculty advisor to the OSU Chapter of the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) and on the subcommittee for Arms Control and Treaty Verification within the Nonproliferation and Arms Control Technical Division of INMM. She is also an associate editor for The Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy.