Jarrod Allred will be receiving his M.S. degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University in August. He worked with Dr. Sunil Chirayath on the development of radiochemistry techniques for the purposes of nuclear forensics. The objective of his study was to quantify the fission product decontamination factor for PUREX process steps while separating and purifying plutonium. A detailed understanding of these unique compositions would aid nuclear forensics activities for source attribution in the case of smuggled plutonium interdiction or at an inspection of a reprocessing plant to catch to catch instances of misuse.
Allred received his B.S. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M in 2014. He began his research with Dr. Chirayath as an undergraduate, during which time he also aided in the development of the nuclear forensics laboratory and contributed to the daily production of the NSSPI News Digest. During his time at NSSPI, he interned at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Allred successfully defended his thesis in May and has accepted a staff scientist position at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington, working in the Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering Group.