Conveniently located, rapid-response, specialized chemical and biological security research
The United States has entered a new era of defense — detection alone is no longer enough to address chemical and biological threats. Warfighters must act quickly and at scale in the face of challenges posed by bioconvergence, disruptive technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), shifting geopolitics and the democratization of technology, which gives destructive capabilities to more, and more varied, adversaries.
Solutions supporting the nation’s defense in this complex landscape lie in advanced, integrated technologies that are developed rapidly in secure, controlled research and development environments.
“The National Strategic Research Institute’s (NSRI) chemical and biological defense program (CBDP) is uniquely positioned to solve the emerging challenges of national security and support the U.S. Department of War (DOW) in this new era of chemical and biological defense (CBD),” said Marty Sikes, associate executive director for CBD programs at the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska (NU). "Because we have expertise, equipment, spaces and an efficient contracting mechanism with the government in place, we can quickly and efficiently solve problems and deliver solutions that meet the military’s needs."
The NSRI National Capital Region (NCR) Laboratory and Conference Center is at the heart of the institute’s chemical and biological defense programs. Opened in 2016 through NU investments, the facility extended and focused the impact of NU and NSRI chemical and biological defense capabilities by bringing capacity to the doorstep of national security agencies.
Located in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, NSRI NCR lies within driving distance of the Pentagon, Fort Meade, Fort Detrick, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) headquarters and the office of the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense. In total, 24 of NSRI’s primary customers are located in the national capital region.
"This laboratory and conference center have become a key collaboration hub for defense partners,” Sikes said. “It is a specialized facility equipped with unique capabilities required to conduct research, development, testing and evaluation to deliver on DOW needs, solving complex problems that apply directly to mission success and the safety of U.S. warfighters and U.S. citizens.”
About NSRI NCR
NSRI NCR houses highly advanced research equipment and workspaces, including synthetic and analytical chemistry laboratories, BSL-2 laboratory, aerosol chamber, fabrication shop and state-of-the-art interactive conference center.
Multiple meeting rooms provide space for closed-door discussions, and a large conference room and warehouse with flex space are used for scenario-based exercises, tabletop exercises, workgroup discussions, laboratory trainings and technology reviews and demonstrations.
When the DOW must rapidly launch projects to address emerging needs, close access to experts, specialized equipment and other critical resources provide the agility required to accelerate solutions while enabling stakeholders to leverage cutting-edge science. The facility delivers timely, mission-driven research aligned with the DOW’s cost, schedule and performance requirements, ensuring solutions remain affordable, on time and operationally effective.
"Government sponsors can attend program reviews and see and touch prototypes and be home for dinner without having to fly elsewhere,” Sikes said. “In addition to saving time and money, being in your customer’s backyard helps develop trusted partnerships, which enable transparency, candid feedback and a better understanding of our customers' needs and concerns."
Leading Equipment & Resources
Conference Center
A stadium-style conference center with 100+ seating capacity and unique capabilities, including collaborative software that captures real-time anonymous feedback for onsite analysis to support technology rodeos, technical meetings, workshops and exercises.
“With this unique software, we can push questions to participants, and they can respond anonymously to the facilitator in real time,” Sikes said. “This facilitates objective and unbiased feedback and recommendations, that helps the government make informed decisions.”
When developing a new test protocol, for example, presenters can share potential steps with an audience of operators who know the issues well.
“They can chime in anonymously and provide input in real time,” Sikes said. “They might say, ‘No, you shouldn’t do it that way,’ or give other input. The system can capture it, run analysis and generate a final report.”
The conference space has a large presentation wall with an annotator, a passive voice lift audio system and breakout rooms for side discussions. Advanced technology allows off-site University of Nebraska researchers and others to easily join events.
Synthetic Chemistry Wet Laboratory
The NSRI NCR laboratory was recently granted a controlled substances license to perform chemical forensics and sample analysis. In December 2025, the facility expanded to build out a synthetic and analytical chemistry laboratory and additional space for rapid prototyping.
Experienced Experts
The leaders assigned to NSRI NCR shape the institute's approach to chemical and biological defense, but their work is only possible because of the exceptional team standing with them — more than 25 professionals who deliver the research, analysis and operational support that advance NSRI’s mission.
The CBDP team also draws upon a deep bench of experts from across the University of Nebraska’s four campuses. It is this combined strength — leadership, dedicated staff and university partners — that enhances NSRI’s impact on efforts for countering weapons of mass destruction.
Associate Executive Director
Chemical & Biological Defense Programs
A retired U.S. Naval Officer and seasoned leader in global CBRN defense, Sikes has designed and executed multinational partnerships, advanced critical biosurveillance capabilities and supported senior DOW stakeholders across the interagency and around the world. His career — spanning key roles with the JPEO-CBRND, Johns Hopkins APL, USEUCOM, USAFRICOM and U.S. Forces Korea — reflects a deep commitment to strengthening national and allied resilience against chemical and biological threats.
Research Director
Chemical Defense Programs
With a foundation in advanced synthetic chemistry and experience across major national laboratories and mission partners, Dr. Mueller has driven critical efforts in chemical agent protection, CWA decontamination and evaluation of protective technologies. His work at NSRI enhances the nation’s ability to counter chemical threats across the full spectrum of DOW and interagency requirements.
Research Director
Biological Defense Programs
At the intersection of science, operations and national security, Dr. Blanchard has directed multi-agency programs delivering next-generation countermeasures, biosurveillance capabilities and CBRNE operational tools for organizations including USSOCOM, DTRA and BARDA. His previous roles at JHU/APL and the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground advanced national readiness against chemical, biological and explosive threats.
Contributions to American Defenders
Although NSRI NCR is a showcase of equipment and spaces that support national security in many capacities, it is ultimately the expertise and tested processes available at and through the facility that provide the most actionable advantage to defense agencies.
“It goes back to what we do, not just the facility,” Sikes said. “Our responsive, innovative, mission-oriented approach to research solves the nation's most complex chemical and biological problems. Solutions delivered by our team are being used today in both states side and in operational environments.”
Sikes pointed out that not every solution developed by a scientist in a laboratory works well in the field. In many cases, researchers who work on what they believe will meet the needs of the warfighter do not have the operational experience.
NSRI NCR solves this challenge by teaming scientists and former operators, including soldiers, first responders and other end users, to work together on developing solutions that work outside of the laboratory and in the operational environment.
“The scientist alone may not understand exactly what’s needed or how a solution will be used, but the former end user does,” Sikes said. “The end user can translate the requirement, working together with the scientist, to develop an effective solution. Not every defense contractor does this."
Poised for the Future
As the chemical and biological threat landscape continues to evolve over the coming years and decades, NSRI's established chemical and biological personnel stand ready to partner with the DOW and other American defense agencies to develop next-generation defense and deterrence solutions.
Leaders, scientists and strategists at the NSRI NCR Laboratory and Conference Center have the ability and capacity to help identify and address needs at speed and scale, giving agencies an edge as they respond to and anticipate increasingly complex ongoing needs.
“We not only offer innovative, mission-oriented solutions that align with military protocols, but we share the defense enterprise’s discipline, sense of urgency and determination to meet these needs at a high level of quality and efficiency,” Sikes said.
Other NSRI chemical and biological research facilities include the Fredericksburg Field Office & Laboratory in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the Space Coast Field Office and Laboratory in Melbourne, Florida. More details about NSRI and the University of Nebraska research facilities are available at nsri.nebraska.edu/facilities.
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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