Who are we?
The Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives (NSSPI) is a multidisciplinary organization at Texas A&M University and the first U.S. academic institution focused on technical graduate education, research, and service related to the safeguarding of nuclear materials and the reduction of nuclear threats. In March of 2006, NSSPI was formed as a joint center between Texas A&M and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the engineering research agency of the Texas A&M University System. We work in collaboration with U.S. national laboratories, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and other partners to address the problems associated with the malicious use of nuclear materials and to study policy issues related to nuclear security.
NSSPI combines the talent of internationally recognized researchers from the U.S.’s largest nuclear engineering department with renowned policy expertise from Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. This team brings unique capabilities to bear on complex nuclear threats and proliferation challenges involving both policy and technology.
NSSPI holds observer status with the IAEA and is actively engaged in providing training and educational support to the agency. Through the Texas A&M University System National Laboratories Office, NSSPI is able to pursue research initiatives in collaboration with U.S. national laboratories.
NSSPI Mission
NSSPI employs science, engineering, and policy expertise to:
- conduct research and development to help prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear and radiological proliferation and guard against nuclear terrorism;
- educate the next generation of nuclear security leaders;
- analyze the interrelationships between policy and technology in the field of nuclear security; and
- serve as a public resource for knowledge and skills to reduce nuclear threats.