Invited Speakers

David Kenneth Smith

David Kenneth Smith is a Distinguished Fellow at The Stimson Center USA supporting their nuclear technology programs. He is also an affiliated senior scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory USA. From 1987 to 2009, Smith held roles at the Laboratory focusing on the development of nuclear forensics science and nuclear security capacity building. He was a regular budget, Senior Nuclear Security Officer / Coordinator (P5) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 2010 to 2020 where he led the Agency’s nuclear forensics program. Smith also was part of the executive of the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG) from 2004 to 2022 and was senior fellow of the Center for Science and Security Studies at King's College London from 2020 - 2024.

Maria Wallenius

Dr. Maria Wallenius has a PhD in radiochemistry from the University of Helsinki, Finland. Some 25 years ago, she moved to European Commission's Joint Research Centre in Karlsruhe, Germany. Maria has been involved in various R&D, capacity building and project management activities related to nuclear forensics and nuclear security in general. Currently, she is the acting Head of Nuclear Safeguards and Security Unit, and the co-chair of the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG).

Julianne Antrobus

Julianne became Chief Executive Officer of UKNNL in April 2025, bringing over 25 years of nuclear sector experience to the role.

After beginning her career as a Graduate Radiation Protection Advisor with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, UKNNL's predecessor organisation, Julianne went on to hold strategic leadership positions at Nuvia, Atkins and PA Consulting before returning as our CEO.

Julianne’s expertise lies in strategic implementation and operational excellence. During her career she has led and implemented transformational growth strategies, established strategic joint ventures between UK, European and international organisations and secured long term strategic frameworks with Government and commercial entities. As Global Head of Nuclear at PA Consulting, Julianne established and grew an innovative nuclear practice, working with clients across the entire nuclear fuel cycle from new build to decommissioning.

Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Julianne has been a driving force for women in STEM. Her contributions to the nuclear sector were recognised with an Honorary Fellowship from the Nuclear Institute in 2023 and the National STEM Ambassador Award from Forward Ladies.

Jon Michael Schwantes

Dr. Schwantes is a Professor and Head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Penn State working on environmental radiochemistry, super-heavy element chemistry and physics, astrophysical nucleosynthesis, science-based stockpile stewardship, nuclear material science and nuclear forensics. He has authored over 120 publications, was part of the confirmatory team for element 111 and identified the world’s oldest reactor-produced plutonium. He was elected to the Washington State Academy of Science in 2020 and is the US Co-Chair for the Exercise Task Group of the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group. Before joining Penn State, he was a Research Scientist for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, serving on two response teams to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster (2011), was appointed by the Secretary of Energy (2014) to investigate a radioactive contamination at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and (2019) led the forensic examination of a breached 3,000 Ci radioactive source in downtown Seattle.

Mayra Martinez

Dr. Mayra Martinez is a R&D Scientist in the Nuclear Response and Analysis Brach within the National Security and Critical Infrastructure Directorate at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. She is part of the Nuclear Forensics (NF) team, where she applies her background in organic chemistry and spectroscopy to the development of methods of analysis for mixed threats (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and explosives, CBRNe). Her current research focuses on the method development for material characterization and Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) forensics with focus on microanalytical techniques such as the use of SEM/EDX/Raman; the application of chemometrics and machine learning (ML) approaches to the detection and identification of mixed threats with fieldable instrumentation; enhancement of NF libraries; and the development of procedures for advancing CNLs nuclear forensics capabilities. She is interested in better understanding the role of NF in the current global context to identify areas of opportunity for advancing NF research. Therefore, she is currently pursuing the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) certification on Nuclear Security for Scientists.

Dr Kevin Swearingen, US Federal Bureau of Investigation

Dr. Kevin Swearingen is a Radiological and Nuclear Chemist Forensic Examiner at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory. In support of the radiological and nuclear mission, Dr. Swearingen works with a broad range of partners throughout the government and across the Department of Energy National Laboratory system. Since 2022, Dr. Swearingen has been dual qualified as examiner in both radiological/nuclear and Chemical Warfare Agent analysis. Prior to joining the FBI, Dr. Swearingen was a chemistry instructor at Washington State University, where he also earned his PhD. Before that, Dr. Swearingen was a research associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He received his undergraduate degree from Western Oregon University.

Metropolitan Police

The SO15 Forensic Management Team is a unit within Counter Terrorism Policing that support investigations by maximising the forensic potential of all the physical exhibits. This could be as small as micro sim card or on the opposite end of the spectrum, a bus. We are able to achieve this in a conventional scene and within a scene contaminated with Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) matter. There are significant differences in the way we work in the CBRN scene compared to a conventional scene. We often work closely with other professionals and partner agencies, such as explosive officers, AWE and DSTL.

Michelle BRIGGS and Sarah MENDEL-LION are both Detective Constables working in Forensic Management Team (FMT) in SO15 Counter Terrorism. Both specialise in exhibit retrieval from Bomb Scenes and CBRN environments. Michelle and Sarah have recently trained as Tactical Advisers for CBRN situations providing advice to operational commanders dealing with CBRN situations.

Michelle Briggs

Michelle studied Equine Science before joining the Metropolitan Police as a Police Community Support Officer in 2010. Progressing to a Police Officer in 2013 and a Detective in 2018, joining the FMT in 2020.

Sarah Mendel-Lion

Sarah studied Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation at UCLAN and became a PC with the Metropolitan Police in 2012. Sarah became a Detective and specialised in Disaster Victim Identification assisting in the mortuary for the Grenfell fire disaster, joining the FMT in 2021.