SRNL Appoints Anthony Belian as Director of Nonproliferation Applied Science Center

Belian will lead the NASC in advancing nonproliferation research and development to reduce security concerns, modernizing nonproliferation concepts to accelerate nuclear as a clean energy source, and aligning emerging nonproliferation concepts with the growing reactor and fuel-cycle markets.

Belian comes to SRNL after completing his service with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the technical lead in the design and implementation of radiation detection systems for IAEA Safeguards. Belian has 10 years of experience in IAEA international safeguards and nonproliferation science and technology; two years of experience serving at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as a technical advisor to the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control, Office of International Nuclear Safeguards, and; 10 years of nuclear nonproliferation, international safeguards, project and program management, and science and technology mission contributions at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

“Dr. Belian is a significant international leader known for his ability to organize teams across multiple national labs to test different technologies to solve critical nonproliferation challenges,” said Global Security Associate Lab Director Tammy Taylor, Ph.D. “His experience and contributions to international safeguards and nonproliferation science and technology will be invaluable in leading the NASC in carrying out its mission.”

“Full realization of the benefits of nuclear science requires success in nonproliferation – from nuclear safeguardsto energy security, to healthcare, to expanding and empowering the next generation of nuclear scientists,” said Belian. “I am grateful for the opportunity to advance these areas together with the worldclass scientists and engineers at SRNL, throughout the DOE/NNSA complex, and worldwide; with the goal being actionable technologies for the betterment of society.”

Belian is a renowned instructor of non-destructive analysis techniques and technology. He is a leading international expert in the field of radiation detection physics having developed unique systems with extensive use of Monte Carlo methods to optimize detector design, calibrate systems, and resolve system anomalies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University, a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from University of California, Berkley.

Belian will work closely with NASC Fellow and Joint Appointee Margaret E. Kosal, Ph.D., in further establishing the NASC and building upon its mission objectives. Additionally, Belian and Kosal will seek to further engage Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) university partners, other local and regional universities, and, in time, foreign nationals from international organizations and universities, which is increasingly critical in a globally connected world of strategic competition.

Savannah River National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy multi-program research and development center that’s managed and operated by Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA). SRNL puts science to work to protect the nation by providing practical, cost-effective solutions to the nation’s environmental, nuclear security, nuclear materials management, and energy manufacturing challenges (https://srnl.doe.gov/).