[Research] Special Auton Lab Seminar: Dr. Mark Wrobel, Tue Dec 01 at 12noon

[Artur Dubrawski]

(Note: there are two Auton Lab seminars scheduled on Tuesday)


*Title*

Challenges and Opportunities in Research Supporting the Global Nuclear 
Detection Architecture

Mark C Wrobel, PhD, CHP
Program Manager
Transformational & Applied Research Directorate
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security


*Time and Place*

Tuesday December 1st 2009, *12:00 noon*
NSH 1507


*Abstract*

The seminar will discuss the current organization and mission priorities 
of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, current challenges in 
developing the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, research 
priorities necessary to support the Architecture, and provide an 
overview of DNDO's current research strategy and portfolio.


*Speaker's Bio*

Dr. Mark Wrobel is a senior health physicist and engineer with 
twenty-three years of experience in radiation protection, radiation 
measurements, and radiological engineering. He currently serves as a 
program manager within the Domestic Nuclear Detection Offices’ (DNDO) 
Transformational and Applied Research Directorate, where he manages 
research in advanced nuclear detection technologies. Dr Wrobel came to 
the DNDO from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) where he 
managed the passive radiation detection technologies branch and a 
$21M/year strategic research portfolio. Research efforts encompassed new 
scintillators and semiconductor detection materials, gamma-ray 
spectroscopy and imaging systems, neutron detection and spectroscopy 
systems, and detector signal processing and modeling. Prior to DTRA, 
Mark served 21 years with the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of 
Lt Col. During his military tenure, Dr Wrobel served as the senior 
consultant to U.S. Air Force Surgeon for health physics, led management 
of the AF Master Materials License issued through the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, and was the career field manager for 45 health and medical 
physicists in the Service. His experience in research management 
included his role as the health effects officer for the Joint Non-Lethal 
Weapons Directorate (JNLWD) where he established DoD’s first applied 
research program in the health effects of non-lethal systems. His other 
assignments included a number of consultant position in operational and 
medical health physics, nuclear and radiological consequence management, 
non-ionizing radiation protection, and environmental remediation. He 
also served as Chief, Radioanalytical Services and Deputy Chief, Air 
Force Radiation Assessment Team (AFRAT). LtCol Wrobel’s active duty 
medals included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and three 
Meritorious Service Medals. Mark received his doctorate in health 
physics through the University of Michigan, and his B.S. and M.Eng. in 
nuclear engineering through Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a 
member of the Health Physics Society, and has been certified for 20 
years by the American Board of Health Physics.