In this newly created position, Immele will lead a wide range of Los Alamos efforts related to nuclear materials, including nonproliferation activities, domestic and international nuclear safeguards programs, nuclear material disposition, and other, emerging opportunities.
"I am pleased that someone of the caliber of John Immele with his extensive experience is willing to take on this important assignment," said Don Cobb, associate laboratory director for threat reduction. "We have exciting programs in this area for which Los Alamos is a leader -- such as our ARIES pit disassembly technology and our extensive nonproliferation portfolio -- but we have the chance to help the Department of Energy and the nation respond to a number of emerging challenges as well. I think John is the right person to provide the leadership for this effort."
Immele, who holds a doctorate in nuclear chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, came to Los Alamos in 1989 as director for Conventional Defense Technology Programs. In 1991 he became director for Nuclear Weapons Technology Programs, and in that position helped craft the science-based stockpile stewardship program.
In 1996 Immele went on assignment to the Department of Energy's Office of Nonproliferation and National Security in Washington. He returned to Los Alamos last June and has been part of the policy and planning staff in the TR Directorate.
"I have long felt that stewardship of nuclear materials and nonproliferation form the companion legacy to stockpile stewardship, especially at Los Alamos with our outstanding nuclear material facilities," Immele said. "When I went to DOE on change of station it was my hope that I might contribute to the national and global agenda in these areas.
"DOE and the nation face some tremendous opportunities, in particular reducing nuclear weapons and materials in partnership with Russia. Los Alamos has earned a chance to participate in these important efforts because of the solid reputation and dedication of our staff. For nonproliferation and nuclear materials, in particular, I saw firsthand while in Washington the good reputation we have," Immele said.
Nuclear materials management will be a legacy issue for DOE for years to come, Cobb said, a point emphasized by DOE Secretary Richardson in his address to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna last summer. Cobb also noted that nuclear materials management is a major international issue for nonproliferation, not just from concerns about large quantities of nuclear materials in Russia but also because of increasing global quantities of plutonium from civilian power production.
Issues surrounding nuclear materials management also are becoming vital elements of nuclear arms control efforts.
"We want to sustain our existing capabilities and programs, while at the same time anticipate and respond to new and growing needs, especially a broader coordination with DOE on nuclear materials management issues. John will be responsible for leading this effort," Cobb said.
"I also want to recognize the other excellent candidates who applied for this position. Their continuing contributions will be crucial to our success, and I ask that in the days and weeks ahead all of you work with John to make Los Alamos even more effective in the nuclear materials management area," Cobb said.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and the Washington Division of URS for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.