Leadership

Dr. Julie Carrera serves as the Director of the Strategic Security Sciences Division at Argonne National Laboratory. She was previously the Deputy Director of the division. As director, Dr. Carrera leads a team devoted to developing and implementing practical approaches and technical solutions to address complex, enduring, and emerging threats to national and global security.

Dr. Timothy Ashenfelter guides interdisciplinary research & development (R&D) as Deputy Division Director at Argonne, building on 19+ years of expertise in nuclear non-proliferation, counter-proliferation, sensor design, nuclear forensics, modeling & simulation, and machine learning for nuclear threat detection. He combines experience in industry, national laboratory research, emergency response, and federal government centered on the intersection of discovery science and national security.

Dr. Lauren Boldon leads the CBRN Nonproliferation Analysis group in the Strategic Security Sciences division, focused on CBRN-related nonproliferation areas, such as export controls and international safeguards.

Clinton Cohagan is the Department Manager for National & Cyber Security Information Sciences in the Strategic Security Sciences Division at Argonne National Laboratory. With over 23 years of experience related to the Department of Energy, Clinton has advanced national and global security through innovations in data architecture, decision and artificial intelligence, and the integration of commercial and custom software solutions. In his role, he oversees teams focused on modeling and analytics, national security information systems, secure DevOps, cybersecurity workforce development, and applied research to deliver practical solutions to complex challenges in national security.

Dr. Jennifer Steeb is the Department Manager of  CBRN Detection & Analysis within the Strategic Security Sciences Division. She has a broad background in radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, and in chemical nonproliferation. Her role includes overseeing several groups including nuclear forensics, emergency response, research development testing and evaluation (RDT&E) for CBRN threats, and CBRN experimental R&D work.

In her Operations Lead role in the Strategic Security Sciences Division, Lee Ann is responsible for the implementation of a wide range of operational activities including, but not limited to, division policy and procedures, communication, safety, and infrastructure. She has over 42 years of Argonne experience including 18 years in business operations, management, and human resources.

Dr. Benjamin Blakely is group leader of Applied Research in the Strategic Security Sciences division. His researches the intersections of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and cybersecurity at Argonne.

Mark Breitinger is the Group Leader for Assessment & Response in the Strategic Security Sciences division.

Patrick De Lurgio is the group leader for the Research Development Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) Group within the CBRN Detection & Analysis Department. Patrick is a Principal Systems Engineer with over 23 years’ experience working in research and development of radiation detector systems, data acquisition systems, and analog and sensor interface electronics.

Dr. Claudio Gariazzo serves as the Group Leader for Nonproliferation Innovation of the Nonproliferation Research, Analysis & Engagement within the Strategic Security Sciences division at Argonne National Laboratory.

Dan Harkness joined Argonne National Laboratory in 2009 and is currently group leader of Secure DevOps in the Strategic Security Sciences division. He and his team focus on proactively improving the state of cyber operations, creating better and more rapid cyber situational awareness, ensuring the security of critical infrastructure, evaluating the cyber impacts of emerging technologies, and protecting the security and prosperity of our national and global communities.

Derek McLain is the interim group leader for the Science & Technology Integration (S&TI) group within the CBRN Detection & Analysis department. His background lies in radiochemistry and aqueous separations, particularly those relating to nuclear forensics and isotope production.

Justin Reed leads the International Safeguards & Export Control Engagement group in the Strategic Security Sciences division. In this role, Justin assists the U.S Department of Energy’s efforts with the International Atomic Energy Agency and partner countries to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of international nuclear safeguards implementation.

Adam Szymanski has over 15 years of experience working on a variety of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) projects. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Computer Science and Robotics and received a master’s degree in Analytics at the University of Chicago with an emphasis on advanced computational models including computer vision and machine learning algorithms.

Amanda Theel has worked as a subject matter expert in cybersecurity since 2011. At Argonne National Laboratory, she provides expertise to DOE and DHS as a subject matter expert of cybersecurity.

Chad Wester is the Group Leader and the Regional Operations Manager for the Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) in the Strategic Security Sciences Division of Argonne National Laboratory. His work focuses on Radiation/Nuclear Search, Consequence Management and Preparedness of RAP Region 5.