Other Awards and Honors
2010 Impact on Scientific Community
John Wacker Selected for National Academies Committee
John Wacker, National Security Directorate, has been selected to serve as a member of the National Academies Committee "Assuring a Future U.S.-based Nuclear Chemistry Expertise" study committee. The committee is selected by the National Academies with oversight by the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology.
This team will examine supply and demand for nuclear chemistry expertise in the U.S. compared with the production of experts with these skills, and discuss possible approaches for ensuring adequate availability of these skills, including necessary training platforms.
John's insights into the field of nuclear signature analysis and nuclear forensic analysis are highly sought after by government and scientific leaders alike. Nuclear signatures–or chemical and radiological indicators of nuclear processing–are of particular interest to national security officials monitoring nuclear activities and in the emerging area of nuclear forensics. His research has supported the monitoring of radioactive contamination in the environment. He often serves as an advisor in radioanalytical chemistry and nuclear forensics for government agencies. (announced 12/1/2010)