Science for
the Front Line

Experts behind technology
and innovation to defend
our nation and the world

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is highlighting scientific and technical experts in the national security domain who were recently promoted to scientist and engineer Level 5, one of PNNL’s most senior research roles. Each of these researchers has made significant contributions to the national security science, technology, and innovations developed at PNNL.

Rey Suarez
Nuclear Nonproliferation Researcher

“PNNL provides an opportunity work on some of the world's most challenging problems. What I enjoy is the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary, high-performing teams that are affecting the mission. We work as a team to help keep the nation safe.”
Video by Eric Francavilla | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Brent VanDevender
Experimental Nuclear Physicist

“Everybody knows that we're watching for nuclear weapons tests and that they won't get away with it. That's a deterrent to the development of new nuclear weapons. And in that way, our work in basic science really does make the world safer.”
Video by Eric Francavilla | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Svitlana Volkova
Chief Scientist, Decision Intelligence and Analytics

“Technology is very often driven by machine intelligence to explain, predict, and prescribe complex systems and behaviors, and solve national security challenges in the human domain.”
Video by Eric Francavilla | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Mitchell Woodring
Nuclear Physicist

“One element of our work is to demonstrate that the equipment works, because equipment can never be the problem. It has to work, has to be easy to use, has to be dependable, and also has to be sensitive to the threats we're worried about.” 
Video by Eric Francavilla | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Ralph Perko
Software Engineer

“The work we do here is important because our national security is threatened minute-by-minute. You see the large cyberattacks, ransomware—all these things are a threat to national security. We need the best and brightest working on our side to help combat these things and protect our nation and our infrastructure.”
Video by Eric Francavilla | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

2020 Keeping America Safe Video Series

OCTOBER 27, 2020
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: Mark Jones

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Mark Jones thumbnail image
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: Mark Hadley

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Mark Hadley PNNL
NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: Rebecca Erikson

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Rebecca Erikson
NOVEMBER 20, 2020
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: Ken Geelhood

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Ken Geelhood
DECEMBER 11, 2020
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: David Manz

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David Manz
JANUARY 8, 2021
Staff Accomplishment

Keeping America Safe: Jon Burnett

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Jon Burnett