Physicist
Physicist

Biography

Brian Milbrath is a physicist within the National Security Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). During his 20 years at PNNL, he has performed pure and applied research concerning nuclear explosion monitoring and radiation detection technology. Work has included nuclear nonproliferation detection and policy, the development of new radiation detector materials and technologies, and the application of technologies to novel scenarios, gamma-ray spectroscopy, and neutron detection. He has published in many peer-reviewed journals.

Milbrath has supported the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Organization (CTBTO PrepCom) efforts for nearly 15 years. In 2022, he was selected as a new task leader for the PrepCom’s Working Group B. He has also led several measurements at the Nevada National Security Site to understand the signatures of nuclear explosions.

Milbrath was Chair of the Northwest Section of the American Physical Society (APS) in 2012–14. The section serves approximately 1,500 physicists in the northwest U.S. and western Canada. In 2020, he was selected to be a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Disciplines and Skills

  • Nuclear explosion signatures
  • Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
  • On-site inspections
  • Development of radiation detectors
  • Experimental/field work
  • Warhead verification and monitoring

Education

  • PhD in Nuclear Physics, University of Virginia
  • BS in Physics, Murray State University

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Physical Society (APS)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Awards and Recognitions

  • Senior Member, IEEE
  • Chair of Northwest Section of APS, 2012-14
  • R&D 100 Special Recognition Corporate Social Responsibility Award, 2018
  • NNSA Administrator’s Award for Excellence, 2015
  • NSD Cognizant Space Manager of the Year, 2006