PNNL

Derek Higgins is a project manager and team leader within the Innovative Security Solutions group in the National Security Directorate’s Emerging Tech and Threats Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). He serves as the Protect Integration project manager within the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS), leading a diverse portfolio of projects advancing the security of high-activity radioactive materials, including cybersecurity, mobile source transit security, alternative technology, the ORS Test Bed, remote monitoring, and response integration. Higgins brings deep expertise in physical security and response integration, with a proven track record of partnering with industry, law enforcement, and government stakeholders to deploy innovative solutions that protect radiological materials and strengthen preparedness.

Prior to holding this position, Higgins served as PNNL’s Response Integration project manager, where he established, sustained, and grew a portfolio of local, state, federal, and international law enforcement partnerships responsible for responding to threats involving high-activity radioactive materials. Previously, he served as an ORS regional project manager, cultivating more than 100 national security strategic partnerships with C-level executives at the country’s top hospitals, universities, and commercial facilities. Higgins has nearly 17 years of progressively challenging project management experience at PNNL, having also served as a project controls specialist at PNNL.

• MBA in business administration, Washington State University
• BA in economics, Whitworth University

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute
• Earned Value Professional (EVP), American Association of Cost Engineers

2021

• Higgins D. L., T. L. Roush, J. A. Carneau, and K. Charbonneau. 2021. “The Effects of COVID-19 on Radiological Security – Insights from Radioactive Material Licensees.” In Proceedings of the INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting. August 23–26 and August 30–September 1, 2021. PNNL-SA-165108.

2020

• Gorton B. T., J. A. Wise, D. L. Higgins, E. G. Gonzalez, and C. D. Hagler. 2020. “Innovation in Radiological Security, Part 1 of 2 – Using a Cloud Solution to Compress the Timely Detection Model.” In Proceedings of the INMM 61st Annual Meeting. Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, Mount Laurel, NJ. July 12–16, 2020. PNNL-SA-153596.
• Gorton B. T., J. A. Wise, E. G. Gonzalez, C. D. Hagler, and D. L. Higgins. 2020. “Innovation in Radiological Security, Part 2 of 2 – Insights into Developing a Cloud-Hosted Security Technology.” In Proceedings of the INMM 61st Annual Meeting. Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, Mount Laurel, NJ. July 12–16, 2020. PNNL-SA-153612.