PNNL

David Donnelly, an international compliance analyst in the Emerging Threats and Technologies Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), recently served on a team of experts that completed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) first International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Kenya. This work was in support of the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS). 

During the two-week mission, the IPPAS team worked with the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority to review the security of radioactive material and associated facilities and activities across the country, including visiting eight facilities and holding discussions with officials from several Kenyan government entities.  

Drawing on his expertise, including extensive knowledge of IAEA nuclear security guidance, Donnelly played a key role in evaluating Kenya’s legal and regulatory frameworks. His selection for the IPPAS team reflects both his depth of experience and his contributions to this complex area of international security. 

“An opportunity like this provides a really different perspective,” Donnelly said. “Compared to bilateral assistance that we often provide on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, an invitation to provide a confidential international expert assessment allows the team to see richer facts on the ground and ensures we can provide more specific and targeted suggestions to increase nuclear safety and security.”  

A trained attorney, Donnelly specializes in emergent policy and legal issues related to arms control and nonproliferation, as well as the design and implementation of foreign technical assistance to strengthen national legislative and regulatory frameworks for the security and nonproliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and materials.  

He began his career with the National Laboratory complex as a DOE/NNSA graduate fellow, and he has more than 11 years of experience in capacity building to help U.S. partner countries establish and improve nuclear and radioactive material security frameworks. 

“Being selected to support this mission in Kenya, and others like it, highlights the legal and regulatory expertise within PNNL’s National Security Directorate,” Donnelly said. “It was an honor to contribute to this high-profile effort and to represent both PNNL and the United States.” 

Donnelly currently supports ongoing work for ORS and NNSA’s Office of International Nuclear Security, among other U.S. Government sponsors.