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Experienced Experts

Leadership

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

Executive Director

Adam Carlstrom, MBA

Associate Executive Director

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

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Marty Sikes, MS

Associate Executive Director

Chemical & Biological Defense

John Tencer, MBA

Associate Executive Director

Operations

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

Gary Gates

Chairman of the Board

Past President & CEO Omaha Public Power District

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.)

Honorable Benjamin "Ben" Nelson

Senator for Nebraska 2001 - 2013

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.)

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

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David Blanchard, Ph.D., MBA

Research Director

Biological Defense Programs

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Mike Boehm, Ph.D.

Strategic Advisor

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Paul Brantmier

Director, Advanced Technologies

Field Operations & Training

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Wes Carter

Research Director

Field Operations & Training

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Dillon Cunningham

Research Strategy Advisor

Allen Geist, MAS

Research Director

Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Programs

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Katelyn Ideus, MA

Director

Strategic Communications & Engagement

Meghan Jackson

Director

Food, Agriculture & Environment Security

Erik Johnson

Director, Deterrence Programs

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

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Thomas Mueller, Ph.D.

Research Director

Chemical Defense Programs

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Kyle Parker

Director, Sample Exploitation and Sequencing

Chemical & Biological Defense

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Daniel Polanski

Director, Training

Field Operations & Training

Anna Ravnholdt, MPA

Director

Security Compliance

Patrick Rhoads, MS

Research Director

Nuclear Programs

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David Roberts

Research Director, Special Programs

Chemical and Biological Defense Programs

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Joshua Santarpia, Ph.D.

Strategic Advisor

Terry Thiem, Ph.D.

Director

Medical Countermeasures

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Tami Thompson, Ph.D.

Chief of Staff

Research Staff

Daniel Ackerman, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Rick Arestad

Senior Scientist

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Kevin Crown, Ph.D.

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

Aimee Ketner, Ph.D.

Deputy Director

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Chris Luther

Senior Operations Analyst

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

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Josh Miller

Senior Analyst

Strategic Operations and Effects

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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

Teresa Martinez Torres, Ph.D.

Deputy Director for Advanced Sequencing

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

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Bill Quigley

Senior Analyst

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

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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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