January 8, 2021
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: Jon Burnett

Looking for evidence of nuclear explosions

Jon Burnett

Composite image by Kelly Machart | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

In a new video series, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is highlighting six scientific and technical experts in the national security domain. Each was promoted to scientist and engineer level 5, one of PNNL’s most senior research roles, and has made significant contributions to the national security science, technology, and innovations developed at PNNL.

As a physicist at PNNL, Jon Burnett’s work is about developing instruments to detect ultra-trace radionuclide signatures, analyzing samples from around the world to look for evidence of nuclear explosions, and then interpreting that information.

“We are really leading, and pairing with industry, to develop these next generation systems,” said Burnett. “And we make a strong contribution to making the world a safer place and our capability to detect nuclear explosions.”