Scientist-in-Residence
Dr. Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress is a scientist-in-residence and adjunct professor. Previously he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy, as well as at Princeton University’s Physics Department, specializing on rare signal detection, primarily neutrino detection. He was a member of the SNO Collaboration that won the 2015 Nobel Prize in physics. He is also a laureate along with his team of the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Physics.
After a rewarding career as an experimental physicist he switched fields to physics in the public service. He became a professional specialist at the Princeton Program on Science and Global Security, working on particle simulations for checking the declared HEU inventories of naval-reactor cores. At the Institute, he focuses on the proliferation of fissile materials, nuclear spent fuel management, emerging technologies and verification of nuclear weapons. He also teaches a course on Nuclear Treaty Verification using avatar-based virtual reality to simulate the protocol for the verification of nuclear weapons and is the coordinator of a dedicated course on the science and technology of nonproliferation and terrorism studies. He has contributed to more than 40 articles in refereed and non-refereed journals.
MIIS 8503
Science & Technology for NPTSCourse Description
Science & Technology for NPTS
This course provides students with a solid foundation in scientific and technical fundamentals critical to nonproliferation and terrorism policy analysis. Such policy analyses often require strong foundational knowledge of basic scientific and technical concepts in order to understand, create, and inform policy decisions. The course begins with an introduction to science and the scientific method and then evolves into the three main areas: biological weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear weapons and relevant technologies. Topics covered in the biological component include fundamental concepts related to microorganisms, DNA, RNA, proteins, and processes of infection and disease. Topics covered in the chemistry component include fundamental concepts related to atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical structural representations, functional groups, reactivity, toxicity, as well as modern separation, purification and analytic techniques commonly used for chemical species. Applications of the fundamental concepts in the first two topics are further developed in relation to features of chemical and biological weapons and warfare, including agents, delivery methods and effects. Topics covered in the nuclear component part of the course includes radioactivity, uranium, nuclear weapons, radiation detection instrumentation and applications, environmental plumes, and various instrumentation and analysis techniques. Upon completion of this course students will have a deeper appreciation for the debate on various verification solutions that have been proposed for compliance under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and nuclear treaties. (Open to Juniors and Seniors only) The dates of this course are SEPTEMBER 6 through DECEMBER 16.
Terms Taught
NPTG 8559
Science & Technology for NPTSCourse Description
This course provides students with a solid foundation in scientific and technical fundamentals critical to nonproliferation and terrorism policy analysis. Such policy analyses often require strong foundational knowledge of basic scientific and technical concepts in order to understand, create, and inform policy decisions. The course begins with an introduction to science and the scientific method and then evolves into the three main areas: biological weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear weapons and relevant technologies. Topics covered in the biological component include fundamental concepts related to microorganisms, DNA, RNA, proteins, and processes of infection and disease. Topics covered in the chemistry component include fundamental concepts related to atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical structural representations, functional groups, reactivity, toxicity, as well as modern separation, purification and analytic techniques commonly used for chemical species. Applications of the fundamental concepts in the first two topics are further developed in relation to features of chemical and biological weapons and warfare, including agents, delivery methods and effects. Topics covered in the nuclear component part of the course includes radioactivity, uranium, nuclear weapons, radiation detection instrumentation and applications, environmental plumes, and various instrumentation and analysis techniques. Upon completion of this course students will have a deeper appreciation for the debate on various verification solutions that have been proposed for compliance under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and nuclear treaties.
Terms Taught
NPTG 8565
Missiles and Missile DefenseCourse Description
This course is divided into two components. The first is an introduction to ballistic missiles including discussions about why missiles matter and the history of their development, rocket components, propulsion, steering, guidance, structure, launchers, trajectories and cruise missiles. Then we will start to apply what we have learned to understand the current status of ballistic missile defense. How difficult is it to hit a bullet with a bullet? We will discuss defense-in-depth and layered defense, defended footprint and radars, boost-phase, mid-course and terminal-phase intercepts, discrimination of warheads and decoys, missile defense effectiveness modelling and evaluating testing, drone-based and space-based missile defense, and cost and status of programs around the world. It is recommended that students will have taken the Science for Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies course but a handout will be given before the course starts as a refresher of the main concepts. This will be a pass/fail course.
Terms Taught
NPTG 8698
Directed StudyCourse Description
Student must obtain a faculty advisor, complete a Directed Study proposal form, obtain signatures, and submit to the Associate Dean of Academic Operations for approval.
Terms Taught
I teach courses and do research relating physics to emerging issues in the nonproliferation and terrorism fields. I believe as Jonathan Foley, the executive director of the California Academy of Sciences, has said that a “healthy democracy depends on science” which is the reason why I am keenly interested in science communication. Students at MIIS do amazing things. I want to make sure they can speak the language of science well enough, so they can use it effectively in their future positions when required.
Dr. Dalnoki-Veress has been teaching at the Institute since 2009.
| by Sierra Abukins
The Institute’s scientist-in-residence, Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress, is part of a small team of global experts who are calling on Japan to look at other options for the contaminated water.
| by Matthew Jennings
Dr. Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress conducted an in-depth analysis of a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan, one that intended to target ISIS terrorists, but instead ended with the killing of civilians. Dalnoki-Veress’ research was cited in a lengthy Washington Post story on the errant strike, and the professor recently spoke with us about his research and work at the Institute.
Video
A team of physicists including the Middlebury Institute’s Dr. Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress was awarded the Breakthrough Prize for the same neutrino research that recently won them a Nobel Prize.
