Meet Adam Stratz. He's kind of a big deal. Not only is he one of NNSA's experts in nuclear forensics who helps countries overseas thwart the smuggling of this material, but he also made an important discovery about butterflies.
National Nuclear Security Administration
June 23, 2023
minute read time
How do you support NNSA?
I travel the world to support NNSA’s Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence mission as an expert in nuclear forensics – analyzing nuclear material to determine its origin and history. This includes leading discussions on nuclear science with partners and helping countries overseas stop people who smuggle nuclear material and prosecute those who do.
What was your personal and academic background and how has that shaped you?
Before joining NNSA, I earned a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, worked in nuclear intelligence, and served in the Department of State for many years as a technical advisor on terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction. I’ve received fellowships from NNSA, the Department of Homeland Security, Association for the Advancement of Science, and have now worked with more than 50 countries in the area of nuclear security.
What is the best part about your job?
Making connections in some of the world’s most remote and obscure locations.
When we are openly supported by the workplace, diversity brings flair and perspective to otherwise homogeneous ways of thinking and connecting with foreign counterparts.
Why do you think diversity and inclusion is important to your profession?
When we are openly supported by the workplace, diversity brings flair and perspective to otherwise homogeneous ways of thinking and connecting with foreign counterparts.
Tell us something interesting about yourself; what do you like to do for fun/downtime?
I enjoy learning languages, I am an aviation nerd, and I am the world’s biggest fan of watermelon. While on a research trip to former nuclear weapon proving grounds in the Marshall Islands, I caught a butterfly on a remote Pacific atoll as a sample, which turned out to be the world’s first record of butterflies there. The specimen is now on display at the London Natural History Museum.