Hundreds descend on UF to advance national security research

With a timely focus on global security and scientific collaboration, the University of Florida hosted hundreds of students, professors and national laboratory scientists and engineers earlier this summer for the 2025 National Nuclear Security Administration R&D University Program Review.  

Held June 3–5, the University Program Review, or UPR, showcased five university consortia driving innovation in national nuclear security. UF leads the Consortium for Nuclear Forensics, or CNF. Funded by a $26.4 million award from the NNSA, the consortium comprises 16 universities and seven national laboratories to advance the United States’ nuclear forensics capabilities.  

In just three days, UPR 2025 researchers unveiled more than 150 breakthroughs in nuclear-security and nonproliferation science — the largest single wave of discoveries in the meeting’s 16-year history, noted Kyle C. Hartig, Ph.D., associate professor of nuclear engineering at UF and CNF associate director.  

The surge came as diplomats in Vienna struggled to revive limits on Iran’s uranium-enrichment program.  

“If negotiations falter, the laser systems, AI-driven algorithms, expanded isotope libraries and next-generation radiation detectors showcased at UF could become the forensic yardsticks inspectors will need to verify future treaties — or to expose covert violations when no agreement remains,” Hartig said.  

Less than 20 days after the event, the United States bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, prompting a ceasefire with Israel even as concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities remain. The time was right for serious discussions on future nuclear technology and security. 

“By linking students, faculty and national-lab mentors around shared nonproliferation goals, we turn fresh ideas into transformational technologies that sustain U.S. excellence in nuclear security,” Hartig said.  

Serving as a technical symposium and a strategic oversight forum, UPR welcomed around 300 attendees to UF’s G. Edward Evans Champions Club over three days. Participants presented and evaluated research progress, aligned work with the NNSA mission priorities and highlighted university and national laboratory collaborations.   

“Hosting UPR 2025 at UF underscored the transformative power of partnership,” said James Baciak, Ph.D., professor of nuclear engineering and the director of the CNF. “When academia and the national labs align with NNSA’s mission, we accelerate discovery, cultivate the next generation of experts and ensure the United States remains at the forefront of nuclear-security science.”  

As global security threats become increasingly complex, participants agreed that the UPR has evolved from a routine progress check into a catalyst for innovation and talent. The event connected students, scientists and national labs in a shared commitment to uphold America’s security, deter adversaries and promote global stability.  

The event emphasized fundamental research and workforce development and supported the growth of the student talent pipeline through discussions and networking opportunities with national laboratory representatives. Through plenary talks, poster sessions and awards, the event encouraged cross-consortia exchanges, shaped future research and reinforced accountability for technologies that detect, deter and respond to nuclear-proliferation threats.  

“One of the great things about attending a conference like UPR is being able to meet other students who are doing similar work and have similar goals in terms of either going into the industry or even collaborating with national labs,” said Abby Robb, a graduate student at Georgia Institute of Technology who presented research on Advanced Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy. “It’s a great place for us to find national lab spokespersons who already have a pipeline for the students.”  

Among the poster presentations was Josephine Hartmann, a Ph.D. student from North Carolina State University who showcased her research on coating strategies for nanoparticles.   

“Conferences like these allow students, professors and researchers to collaborate, look at problems and help one another figure out the best ways of solving these challenges,” said Hartmann.  

Baciak led the opening of each day’s activities and provided keynote presentations on research, teaching and student mentoring in nuclear and national security. He and Hartig said the event was a huge success, particularly for this year’s host — UF. 

“Seeing the UPR come to life on our campus,” Hartig said, “showed how powerful the NNSA consortium model is.”