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Experienced Experts

Leadership

Professional headshot of Richard Evans with gray hair and beard, wearing a navy suit and tie with an American flag pin against a modern geometric background

Rick Evans, USAF, Maj. Gen. (Ret.)

Executive Director

Professional headshot of Carlstrom in a blue suit and patterned tie, smiling against a neutral office background

Adam Carlstrom, MBA

Associate Executive Director

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Professional headshot of Marty Sikes with short hair and a trimmed goatee, wearing a gray suit and blue tie in a bright office setting

Marty Sikes, MS

Associate Executive Director

Chemical & Biological Defense

Professional headshot of John Tencer with light hair, wearing a dark suit and patterned tie in a modern office setting

John Tencer, MBA

Associate Executive Director

Operations

Professional headshot of Neal Woollen with a gray beard, wearing a brown blazer and black shirt and tie against a modern exterior wall background

Neal Woollen, DVM, Ph.D., MSS

Associate Executive Director

CWMD Allied Programs

Professional headshot of Bob Hinson with gray hair, wearing a dark suit and red tie in a bright office environment

Robert Hinson, USAF, Lt. Gen. (Ret.)

Founding Executive Director & Executive Director Emeritus

Board of Directors
Professional headshot of Gary Gates with white hair, wearing a blue suit and tie against a clean, modern background

Gary Gates

Chairman of the Board

Past President & CEO Omaha Public Power District

Professional headshot of David Jackson in a suit with a red tie.

David Jackson, Ph.D.

Vice Chairman of the Board

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost University of Nebraska System

Professional headshot of Bayles with glasses, wearing a gray plaid suit and blue tie in a softly lit office setting

Kenneth Bayles, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Research University of Nebraska Medical Center

Professional headshot of David Kriete in a navy suit and striped tie, posed against a neutral gray background

David Kriete

Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)

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Honorable Benjamin "Ben" Nelson

Senator for Nebraska 2001 - 2013

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Anne Barnes

Treasurer to the Board

Interim Vice President and Chief Financial Officer University of Nebraska System

Professional headshot of Paul Friedrichs with gray hair, wearing a suit and tie with an American flag in the background

Paul Friedrichs, M.D.

Air Force Major General (Ret.)

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Laura Gonnerman

Secretary and General Counsel to the Board

Associate General Counsel University of Nebraska System

Directors & Advisors
Professional headshot of Bensman with wavy brown hair and glasses, wearing a black blazer and brown top in a bright office setting

Misty Bensman, MS

Senior Director

Operations & Integration

Professional headshot of David Blanchard wearing a light plaid blazer and navy tie, posed against a clean, modern background

David Blanchard, Ph.D., MBA

Research Director

Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Mike Boehm wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a red striped tie with a lapel pin against a neutral studio background

Mike Boehm, Ph.D.

Strategic Advisor

Professional headshot of Paul Brantmier with glasses and light stubble, wearing a suit and tie against a dark studio background

Paul Brantmier

Director, Advanced Technologies

Field Operations & Training

Professional headshot of Wes Carter with slicked-back hair, wearing a gray suit and patterned tie in a modern office setting

Wes Carter

Research Director

Field Operations & Training

Professional headshot of Dillan Cunningham with a red beard, wearing a suit and tie in a modern office setting

Dillon Cunningham

Research Strategy Advisor

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Allen Geist, MAS

Research Director

Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Programs

Professional headshot of Katelyn Ideus wearing a light blazer and statement necklace, posed against a modern office wall

Katelyn Ideus, MA

Director

Strategic Communications & Engagement

Professional headshot of Meghan Jackson with curly hair and glasses, wearing a dark blazer and green blouse against a blue studio background

Meghan Jackson

Director

Food, Agriculture & Environment Security

Professional headshot of Erik Johnson in a gray suit and red tie, looking at the camera against a clean, modern background

Erik Johnson

Director, Deterrence Programs

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Professional headshot of Tom Mueller wearing glasses, a suit, and striped tie, standing in a modern office with large windows

Thomas Mueller, Ph.D.

Research Director

Chemical Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Parker in a plaid suit and black tie, standing in a softly lit office hallway

Kyle Parker

Director, Sample Exploitation and Sequencing

Chemical & Biological Defense

Professional headshot Dan Polanski, wearing a navy suit and red tie with an American flag pin in a bright office setting

Daniel Polanski

Director, Training

Field Operations & Training

Professional headshot of a smiling Ravnholdt with blonde hair, wearing a beige blouse in a bright, modern office environment

Anna Ravnholdt, MPA

Director

Security Compliance

Professional headshot of Patrick Rhoads with gray hair, wearing a navy suit and patterned tie against a clean, softly lit background

Patrick Rhoads, MS

Research Director

Nuclear Programs

Professional headshot of Dave Roberts with short gray hair and a trimmed beard, wearing a navy suit and polka dot tie in a bright office setting

David Roberts

Research Director, Special Programs

Chemical and Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of John Santarpia with a beard, wearing a blazer and light blue shirt with a colorful pocket square in an outdoor office setting

Joshua Santarpia, Ph.D.

Strategic Advisor

Professional headshot of Terry Thiem with short hair, wearing a dark suit, blue shirt, and patterned tie against a modern blue and white background

Terry Thiem, Ph.D.

Director

Medical Countermeasures

Professional headshot of Tami Thompson with short curly hair and glasses, wearing a casual layered outfit in a softly lit home or office setting

Tami Thompson, Ph.D.

Chief of Staff

Research Staff
Professional headshot of a smiling Ackerman in a navy suit and white shirt against a clean, modern office background

Daniel Ackerman

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Rick Arestad with short hair and a goatee, wearing a navy suit and blue striped tie in a bright office setting

Rick Arestad

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Kevin Crown

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Cruz-Rodriguez with curly hair and glasses, wearing a black blazer and light blouse in a bright modern office setting

Aixa Cruz Rodriguez

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Distelhorst in a blue suit and tie, standing in front of large office windows with a city skyline background

Steven Distelhorst, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Don Huston with a short beard, wearing a dark suit and tie in a bright office setting

Donald Huston

Research Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of a Ketner in a black blazer, standing in front of large office windows with a city skyline background

Aimee Ketner, Ph.D.

Deputy Director

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Chris Luther

Senior Operations Analyst

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Professional headshot of Miller with short hair and light stubble, wearing a dark blazer and pink shirt in a bright, modern hallway setting

Josh Miller

Senior Analyst

Strategic Operations and Effects

Professional headshot of Minter with dark hair and light stubble, wearing a gray suit and blue tie in front of large office windows with a city skyline background

Zachary Minter

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of April Shea with curly hair, wearing a black blazer and statement necklace in a modern office setting

April Shea

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs Special Projects

Professional headshot of Matt Sweeney in a blue suit and striped tie, standing in front of large office windows

Matthew Sweeney

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of Teresa Martinez with long dark hair, wearing a navy blazer and white blouse in a softly blurred office hallway setting

Teresa Martinez Torres, Ph.D.

Deputy Director for Advanced Sequencing

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Professional headshot of William Quigley with glasses, wearing a blue suit and orange striped tie, standing in front of large office windows

Bill Quigley

Senior Analyst

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Professional headshot of Van Buren with a beard, wearing a navy suit and blue tie in a bright modern office setting

Daniel Van Buren

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Connect With NSRI

As the University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) designated by the U.S. Department of War, sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and affiliated with the University of Nebraska System, the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) delivers solutions for strategic deterrence and CWMD mission requirements. Our rapid-response capabilities and efficient contracting vehicle can help federal government program managers meet critical research and development needs. Connect with us to learn more.

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