Los Alamos announces Homeland Security Center and staff
DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory
Browne said, "The development and staffing of our Center for Homeland Security allows the Laboratory to present a cohesive, action-oriented approach to our homeland security work. The Laboratory's long history of achievements in the science, technology and analysis related to the nation's security will be focused through this center, ensuring that government agencies needing our assistance are immediately connected with the right people. I am pleased that someone of the caliber of Tom Meyer has accepted the leadership role of this important component of the Laboratory."
Thomas W. Meyer will be the center's director. Meyer is an 11-year veteran of the Laboratory and most recently assigned in Washington, D.C. as director of the Advanced Technologies office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Meyer holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Davis at Livermore, as well as an MBA from Auburn University. In addition to his Los Alamos work, he is aiding the White House's Homeland Security Transition Program Office in Washington, D.C.
Meyer emphasized the importance of the center's coordinated approach to the Homeland Security requests coming to the Laboratory: "This center allows us to focus the Lab's longstanding efforts toward evolving national needs, and it provides the essential contact points for the agencies working with and within the new Department of Homeland Security."
Meyer's deputy director is J. Wiley Davidson, who holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, and who also leads the center's Critical Infrastructure Protection effort. About Davidson, Meyer said "Wiley brings a wealth of experience to this post, both in planning and in the field deployment of Homeland Security-related technologies. He will help us hit the ground running."
The center's focus areas are as follows: Critical Infrastructure Protection, the Radiological/Nuclear program, the Chemical/Biological program and the National Infrastructure and Simulation Center (NISAC).
Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.
Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.
Additional news about Los Alamos is available online at www.lanl.gov.
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