Alan Evans

Senior R&D Nuclear Engineer

In his position as a senior research and development nuclear engineer in the International Nuclear Security Engineering (INSE) department at Sandia National Laboratories, Alan Evans co-leads the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of International Nuclear Security (INS, NA-211) Physical Security Functional Team responsible for collaborating with partner countries, industry, academia, and other subject matter experts to develop, test, and implement assessment and engagement tools that will improve physical security at international nuclear facilities. Alan co-leads an effort to develop a new Nuclear Security academic program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) to provide the nuclear security workforce of tomorrow with both practical and theoretical experience. Alan also supports the NNSA Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NPAC, NA-24) Bilateral Physical Protection Assessment Program (BPPAP).

In his current role, Alan uses his nuclear engineering and nuclear security expertise to conduct research and development for effective physical security systems for Advanced and Small Modular Reactors (ASMRs) for the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy Advanced Reactor Safeguards (ARS) program and the NA-211 Advanced Reactor Security Program (ARSP). Alan works to develop cost-effective security systems for ASMRs that will lead to effective deployment of ASMR technology domestically.  Alan works with other national laboratories, and industry partners to ensure this work leads to successful security deployment of ASMR technologies. Alan works under the NA-211 office to develop security deployment strategies for nuclear power plants to ensure protection and mitigation against nuclear security incidents that may cause radiological consequences. Alan has also assisted in the development and execution of training activities in the Design and Operation of Physical Protection Systems, Integrated Performance Testing, Physical Protection Sustainability, Security Planning and Contingency Planning, for multiple national and international partner countries and agencies.

Prior to joining INSE, Alan was an undergraduate R&D intern in Sandia’s Advanced Nuclear Concepts department, where he worked on novel cooling systems which would decrease water consumption at nuclear power plants.

Alan completed his B.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 2018 and earned an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 2019, both from the University of New Mexico.