
The MC-15 is a portable neutron multiplicity detector critical for nuclear safeguards, emergency response, and research. It enables the accurate analysis of neutron-producing systems to ensure safety and support decision-making in complex scenarios. Hadyn Kistle, a doctoral student with the Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives (NSSPI) at Texas A&M University, investigated ways to expand the capabilities of the MC-15.
“My research focused on the feasibility of adding new neutron field characterization capabilities to the MC-15,” Kistle explained. “I explored neutron dose rate estimation, neutron energy spectrum deconvolution, and enhancements to existing multiplicity analysis techniques to better evaluate subcritical multiplying nuclear material systems.”
Conducted under the guidance of her advisor Dr. Shaheen Dewji, a former NSSPI faculty fellow now at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and supervised by Jesson Hutchinson in LANL’s Advanced Nuclear Technology group (NEN-2), Kistle’s work aimed to broaden the detector’s applications to contribute to the effective handling of nuclear or radiological emergencies.
“This work established both proof-of-concept and guidance for future research,” Kistle said. “Expanding the existing capabilities of an already advanced detection system provides additional information and improved accuracy for analysis of multiplying, neutron-producing systems in support of personnel safety and nuclear emergency response.”

Kistle’s research involved a combination of simulation and experimental studies to characterize the detector’s response, evaluate neutron dosimetry, and deconvolute neutron energy spectra. These efforts laid the groundwork for future advancements in portable neutron detection technology.
According to Kistle, her academic journey at Texas A&M was enriched by her participation in the graduate certificate program in Nuclear Security. “The combination of technical courses in the Nuclear Engineering department and policy-focused classes at the Bush School of Government and Public Service provided valuable context for my research,” Kistle noted. “I gained a deeper understanding of how science and policy intersect, particularly in the field of nuclear safeguards and security.”
Reflecting on her time at Texas A&M, Kistle expressed deep gratitude for the support and dedication of the faculty. “The professors in the Nuclear Engineering department were incredible,” she said. “I learned so much, even coming in with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering. It was clear that the faculty love their work, and I felt supported by my professors in every class I took.”
Kistle earned a Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering with a radiological concentration from the University of Tennessee in 2016, graduating as part of the Chancellor’s Honors and Engineering Honors programs, with double minors in Materials Science & Engineering and German Language. Before pursuing her Ph.D., Kistle worked with several groups across four divisions at LANL. She started in the Chemistry Division with the Nuclear and Radiochemistry group as a participant in the 2016 Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program, where she studied uranium compound morphology and presented findings at the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center program review. She also worked with the Dynamic Experiments, Physics, and Nuclear Engineering and Nonproliferation Divisions. Her work supported research of high explosive material properties, detector development, and radiation detection simulation.
As she continues her career as a researcher at LANL, the educational foundation Kistle received at NSSPI positions her to make significant contributions to advancements in neutron detection and nuclear security. Building on her work with the MC-15, Kistle is equipped to tackle complex challenges in this crucial field.