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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
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

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Marty Sikes, MS

Associate Executive Director

Chemical & Biological Defense

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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

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

Founding Executive Director & Executive Director Emeritus

Board of Directors

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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

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Kenneth Bayles, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Research University of Nebraska Medical Center

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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

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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

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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

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Dillon Cunningham

Research Strategy Advisor

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Allen Geist, MAS

Research Director

Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Programs

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Katelyn Ideus, MA

Director

Strategic Communications & Engagement

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Tami Thompson, Ph.D.

Chief of Staff

Research Staff

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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

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Aixa Cruz Rodriguez

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Steven Distelhorst, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Donald Huston

Research Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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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

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April Shea

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs Special Projects

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Matthew Sweeney

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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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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