The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska (NU) Wednesday announced 49 new NSRI Fellows who aim to contribute their expertise to the strategic deterrence and countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) mission areas.
These researchers join the more than 70 NSRI Fellows who launched with the program in May 2021, bringing the total to 122. Fellows hail from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, UNMC, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Each of the researchers brings expertise in areas from information science and technology to biomechanics to psychology to engineering and more. All also actively leverage the facilities, technologies and students convened by NU’s four campuses.
“Our objective is to bring the might of the University of Nebraska System’s intellectual and physical research capability and capacity to the DOD and the Nation,” said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. “We know from current events that the strategic threats our Nation faces are constantly developing and converging. NSRI and the university have been and remain ready to help solve problems and innovate.”
“Through this program, NSRI is engaging faculty in a material way to solve the problems of the DOD,” said UNMC’s Joshua Santarpia, PhD, NSRI science and technology advisor and director of the NSRI Fellows program. “We are bringing everyone together — faculty who span numerous disciplines with sponsors leading within the strategic deterrence and CWMD mission spaces. I’m proud of how far we’ve come with this effort and motivated by the momentum we have moving forward.”
New NSRI Fellows from the University of Nebraska Medical Center:
- Angela Hewlett, MD, infectious disease
- Stephen Obaro, MD, PhD, infectious disease
- Stephen Rennard, MD, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine
- Eleanor Rogan, PhD, environmental, agricultural and occupational health
- Michael Rosenthal, DSc, physical therapy education
- Anthony Sambol, pathology and microbiology
- Paul Sorgen, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology
- Denis Svechkarev, PhD, pharmaceutical sciences
“Expanding collaborations with NU faculty and partnering with NSRI is a great opportunity, especially for a Navy veteran,” said Dr. Rosenthal, a veteran. “The input of innovative NU scientists can bolster national security efforts and not only have far-reaching impact but also local benefits for Nebraskans. I hope to engage with NSRI team members on efforts to improve the readiness and resilience of the human weapon system and optimize performance.”