Washington, DC - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the first post-doctoral award to support research in nuclear forensics as part of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office’s (DNDO) National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program.

DNDO unveiled the Dr. Ian Hutcheon Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in honor of the late Dr. Hutcheon, who significantly advanced the United States Government’s nuclear forensics capability during his 22-year tenure. The first award will be presented beginning in 2017 and will be open to new Ph.D. graduates and post-doctoral fellows at the national and defense laboratories supporting the development of the nation’s nuclear forensics capability.

“One of my highest priorities is to help lead the U.S. Government efforts to grow and sustain the unique expertise required to execute the nation’s nuclear forensics mission,” said DNDO Director Dr. Huban Gowadia. “Dr. Ian Hutcheon was truly a ‘founding father’ of the nuclear forensics community and this Fellowship is a wonderful way to honor his memory and his dedication to cultivating new talent.”

“LLNL is appreciative of DNDO for its formation of the Dr. Ian Hutcheon Post-Doctoral Fellowship,” said LLNL Global Security Principal Directorate Principal Associate Director Dr. Bruce E. Warner. “Ian was a powerful representative of LLNL’s commitment to supporting education and training in fields of science and technology important to national security including nuclear forensics. LLNL is providing DNDO a signed copy of Ian Hutcheon, Patrick Grant, and Ken Moody’s textbook entitled, Nuclear Forensic Analysis, as an award for the first Dr. Ian Hutcheon Post-Doctoral Fellowship.”

The National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program is an interagency effort committed to developing and maintaining a robust workforce required to execute the Nation’s nuclear forensics mission. In close partnership with 11 national laboratories, the program has provided support to more than 300 students and faculty and 27 universities, revitalizing the once-ailing pipeline of nuclear forensics scientists.  For more information on the National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/increasing-nuclear-forensics-capabilities.