Title:

Overview of the DOE/NE Materials Protection Accounting and Controls Technologies (MPACT) Program and Thoughts and Retrospective on a U.S. Nuclear Career

Speaker:

Dr. Michael Browne

Affiliation:

Los Alamos National Laboratory

When:

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11:00:00 AM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Boggs Building, Room 3-47

Host:

Anna Erickson
anna.erickson@me.gatech.edu

Abstract

I will talk about the DOE/NE Materials Protection Accounting and Controls Technologies program including current focus, Material Control and Accountancy needs for the U.S. nuclear industry, and MC&A research & career opportunities. I will then switch gears and talk about the benefits and career opportunities with a scientific background based on my start in neutrino physics leading to a career in nonproliferation and treaty implementation.

Biography

Dr. Michael C. Browne is a Technical Staff Member in the Safeguards Science and Technology Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He earned his PhD in Nuclear Physics from North Carolina State University in 1999, developing neutron detectors for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO). The SNO collaboration director (Art McDonald) was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics for SNO’s contribution to proving that neutrinos change flavor and hence have mass. Since 1999, Dr Browne has focused on technical safeguards issues. He has developed advanced safeguards instrumentation for attended and unattended applications, and holds patents related to this work. He has led safeguards efforts for NNSA in Japan, ROK, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. He has worked closely with the IAEA to develop and implement high profile safeguards solutions and has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Energy for his efforts. Currently, Dr Browne is the National Technical Director for the DOE/NE Material Protection, Accounting and Control Program and is a Team Leader for the DOE/NNSA Plutonium Verification Team.

Notes

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