The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska (NU) recently expanded its research capacity for its prime sponsor, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
A new NSRI research office at USSTRATCOM headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, offers more technology and space for institute and university researchers to meet the needs of the Command. NSRI also strengthened its already deep bench of mission space experts with the addition of Dr. Adam Lowther as director of strategic deterrence research programs.
"The new space and growing team, combined with the university’s commitment and the enthusiasm of NU researchers and students, means more opportunities for USSTRATCOM to leverage Nebraska’s capacity to contribute to critical strategic deterrence research needs," said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. "The work we do in this space focuses on two things — better defining and understanding the needs of USSTRATCOM and conducting research across their mission set, including strategic deterrence and electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO)."
NSRI was established as the University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) of USSTRATCOM and NU in 2012, following a rigorous review process and designation by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense. This made USSTRATCOM the first, and still only, Combatant Command to sponsor a UARC. Through this strategic partnership, Command leadership can partner with NSRI and NU researchers as trusted agents of the federal government.
A non-profit, NSRI is affiliated with the university, carrying the UARC designation and purposefully engaging with more than 5,000 faculty members and 51,000 students across the university's four campuses to support USSTRATCOM’s objectives.
"Since it was established, NSRI has located key staff at the Command’s headquarters to ensure it can anticipate and respond to mission needs," said Adam Carlstrom, NSRI research director for USSTRATCOM programs. "NSRI provides a day-to-day connection from USSTRATCOM to the academic prowess of NU, which is standing by to meet mission needs."
NSRI's newest addition to the team, Dr. Adam Lowther, brings expertise across the strategic deterrence landscape with a particular focus in nuclear deterrence, multi-domain operations and the nuclear programs of Russia and China. He has published hundreds of articles in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Joint Force Quarterly, Strategic Studies Quarterly and a variety of other journals and outlets.
Dr. Lowther previously served as director of the department of multi-domain operations for the Army Management Staff College, professor of political science at the US Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, founding director of the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies at Kirtland Air Force Base and director of the Center for Academic and Professional Journals at the Air Force Research Institute at Maxwell Air Force Base.
With the addition of Lowther, who started his career in the U.S. Navy, NU and NSRI offer significant strategic deterrence expertise at all levels, totaling nearly 300 years of experience in uniform.
NSRI & NU Strategic Deterrence Experts
*indicates working regularly from the NSRI Research Office at USSTRATCOM headquarters
Ted Carter
NU System President
U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)
Carl Mauney
NSRI Chairman of the Board
U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)
David Kriete
NSRI Board Member
U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)
Roosevelt "Ted" Mercer Jr.
NSRI Vice-Chairman of the Board
U.S. Air Force Major General (Ret.)
Rick Evans*
NSRI Executive Director
U.S. Air Force Major General (Ret.)
Adam Carlstrom*
NSRI Research Director, USSTRATCOM Programs
U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.)
Allen Geist*
NSRI Director, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Programs
U.S. Air Force Colonel (Ret.)
Chris Luther*
NSRI Senior Operations Analyst
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.)
Dr. Adam Lowther*
NSRI Director for Strategic Deterrence Research Programs
U.S. Navy Veteran
Dr. Tami Thompson
NSRI Strategic Advisor
U.S. Air Force Colonel (Ret.)
Patrick Rhoads
NSRI Research Director, Nuclear Enterprise Support
Dr. Christopher Yeaw
NSRI Associate Executive Director, Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs
"We are at a critical flexion point for strategic deterrence," Evans said. "Our response, as USSTRATCOM’s UARC, has been to build a team and an extensive network of highly experienced strategists and practitioners who can help the Command and its mission partners navigate the unique dynamics of the new nuclear environment. NSRI and the University of Nebraska are a tremendous resource to the Command — standing by and always ready."
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About the National Strategic Research Institute
Through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska leading scientists deliver innovative national security research, technology, product and strategy development, training and exercises, and subject matter expertise to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. One of only 14 DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Centers in the country, NSRI is sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and works to ensure the United States’ safety and preparedness against increasingly sophisticated threats. Read about our mission.
