PNNL

Dr. Benjamin McDonald is a physicist within the National Security Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). His expertise includes gamma-ray spectrometry, multi-modal detection and imaging systems, modeling and simulation, and non-destructive assay. He leads and works with specialized technical teams in crafting solutions for nuclear security challenges.

He joined PNNL in the first class of the National Security Internship Program. An active mentor, Dr. McDonald has guided many summer interns and graduate students through their PhD and masters projects. Career highlights involve novel proof-of-concept systems or measurements. Examples include the standoff measurement of uranium enrichment in moving uranium hexafluoride transports, demonstrating the performance of a portable neutron resonance transmission analysis system for assaying uranium/thorium isotopes, and showing how ultraviolet sensors can detect hazardous radiation at safe standoff distances.

Dr. McDonald is leading a project to develop real-time digital autoradiography systems that can measure highly radioactive, post-detonation samples that come in varied sizes and forms. This effort aims to find regions of interest on a sample that can be extracted as microsamples to accelerate processing timelines. He is also leading an inter-laboratory project that aims to understand the limits and benefits of multi-probe, multi-color radiography and to improve related simulation and analysis methods. 

• Nuclear signatures
• Quantitative imaging
• Non-destructive assay
• Gamma-ray spectroscopy
• International safeguards
• Optical detection of ionizing radiation
   

• PhD in physics, Vanderbilt University
• MS in physics, Vanderbilt University
• BS in computer science, Whitworth University
• BA in applied physics, Whitworth University

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member
• Technical reviewer: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research (Section A), and other journals
• Engineering Advisory Board Member, Whitworth University, 2019–present

• Joule Award, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of International Safeguards, 2023
• Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2010, 2013, 2021