Leading Researchers

The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska (NU) works across the threat spectrum — chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNe) — to help ensure that the capabilities needed to prevent, mitigate and respond to destructive incidents are top of mind for leading researchers across the country.

The institute — a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) designated by the Department of Defense (DOD) and sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command — is particularly proud to leverage the talents of researchers from its own team and the four University of Nebraska campuses to meet its mission.

Institute and university leadership continually build upon the accomplishments of researchers and experts to bring needed foresight to bear on not only the current needs of those charged with protecting our country, but the needs of the future as well.

NU Principal Investigators

The University of Nebraska continues to demonstrate its prowess in national security research and solutions. With NSRI as a DOD-designated UARC, NU is a trusted-agent of the DOD and a tremendous asset to the federal government. Researchers who work with NSRI discover opportunities beyond their initial inclinations, and NRSI is proud to be a catalyst for leading national efforts coming out of the University of Nebraska. Meet some of these principal investigators below.

Gina Ligon

Collaboration Science, Counterterrorism

University of Nebraska at Omaha

"A big part of this national security work has to be to collaborate across computer science, STEM fields, systems engineering, nuclear policy, ethics, homeland security, counter terrorism — we can’t really have a siloed training anymore."

Brittany Duncan

Computer Science & Engineering

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

"Sensing movement of things, even diseases like COVID-19, can help us better understand threats. It gives us a way to leverage science and technology for global dominance. Through the NSRI work, we will continue to be leaders in areas like this."

Keely Buesing

Surgery

University of Nebraska Medical Center

"To see the oxygen levels rise and keep them raised for two to three hours versus having the animal die from a severe lung injury was a turning point for me,” Dr. Buesing said. “It lit a fire under me to keep going. This could actually help humans."

Joshua Santarpia

Pathology & Microbiology

University of Nebraska Medical Center

"No single event has influenced my career as much as this pandemic. I’ve had lots of bumps in my road and changes in trajectory based on things that happened around me. But in my professional career, this is the single most significant shift."

NSRI Fellows

NSRI Fellows amplify the University of Nebraska’s research contributions to the DOD and other federal agencies with national security missions. A total of 117 researchers from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Omaha contribute their expertise, talent and foresight to build multidisciplinary teams that develop solutions for complex problems across the spectrum of CBRNe threats.

Meet Our Fellows

NSRI Subject Matter Experts

The NSRI leadership team boasts more than 300 years of experience in or working with the Department of Defense. These experts have reached into their networks and beyond to bring some of the most experienced, well-trained scientists and strategists to NSRI. The institute's efforts towards its mission would not be possible without the significant contributions of our team located across the country. Meet some of our team members!

Daniel Polanski

Deputy Director

Field Operations & Training

Polanski has more than 25 years of government service with more than 18 years working in the weapons of mass destruction arena.

April Shea

Senior Scientist

Special Projects

Ms. Shea has more than 15 years of experience working "at the bench” in microbiology laboratories. She has spent her career supporting the military and Department of Defense (DOD), studying high consequence pathogens and various detection modalities.

Chris Luther, MA

Senior Operations Analyst

NSRI Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Luther served for 22 years as an officer and aviator in the United States Air Force. He worked and led in a variety of related military mission areas, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; electronic warfare; and joint air operations planning.

Work With NSRI

As USSTRATCOM’s University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska provides an invaluable understanding of strategic deterrence and CWMD mission requirements gaps. Our institute’s rapid-response capabilities can help meet critical research and development needs. Connect with us to learn more.

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