Background

I am a burgeoning subject matter expert focusing on Nuclear Security, Safeguards and Nonproliferation. I have over 12 years experience in DOE National Laboratories and over half of that time in support of nuclear security groups and projects.

Current Position

I am a Principal Nuclear Chemist in the Nuclear and Radiological Proliferation Analysis and Modeling group. My specialty in proliferation analysis is the chemistry and chemical engineering involved in the nuclear fuel cycle.

Research Areas of Interest

My research areas of interest include: Actinide Signatures, Radiological Signatures (both decay and chemical), Actinide Chemistry, X-ray Science Applications (Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Interfacial Scattering, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy), Economics of Nuclear Science Application (energy and non-energy applications), Detector Development, Advanced Nuclear Technology Policy.

Education

B.S. Chemistry- University of Idaho

Ph.D. Chemistry- University of Missouri-Columbia

Honors and Awards

Argonne National Lab Graduate Fellowship 2015-17

NRC Graduate Fellowship in Radiochemistry 2016-17

Troutner Radiochemistry Award- March 2015

Radiological Process Laboratory Employee of the Month- February 2012

University of Idaho Leadership Award- April 2009

Memberships

American Chemical Society

American Nuclear Society

Institute of Nuclear Materials Management

Society of Applied Spectroscopy

Select Publications and Patents

Szecsody J, McKinley J, Breshears A, Crocker F. ​“Abiotic/Biotic Degradation and Mineralization of N-nitrosodimethylamine in aquifer sediments.” Remediation, 2008, 4, 109-123.

Matson, E; Breshears, A; Kiernicki, J; Newell, B; Fanwick, P; Shores, M; Walensky, J; Bart, S; ​“Trivalent Uranium Phenylchalcogenide Complexes: Exploring the Bonding and Reactivity with CS₂ in the Tp*₂UEPh Series (E = O, S, Se, Te).” Inorg. Chem. 2014, 53, 12977.

(Featured on the Inorganic Chemistry webpage)

Breshears, AT; Barnes, CL; Wagle, DV; Baker, GA; Takase, MK; Walensky, JR; ​“Structure and Spectroscopy of Uranyl and Thorium Complexes with Substituted Phosphine Oxide Ligands”. Radiochimica Acta. 2015, 103, 49

Breshears, AT; Behrle, AC; Barnes, CL; Wagle, DV; Baker, GA; Walensky, JR; ​“Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry, and Coordination Chemistry of Substituted Phosphine Sulfide and Selenides”. Polyhedron, 2015, 100, 333.

Gullekson, B; Breshears, AT; Brown, MA; Essner, JB; Baker, GA; Walensky, JR; Paulenova, A; Gelis, AV; ​“Extraction of Water and Speciation of Trivalent Lathanides and Americium in Organophosphorous Extractants.” Inorganic Chemistry, 2016, 12675; DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01756

Breshears, AT; Brown, MA; Barnes, CL; Gelis, AV; ​“Solvent extraction facilitated synthesis of hexavalent molybenym formo- and aceto- hydroxamates and larger biological chelate, deferoxamine”. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 2018, 473, 102; DOI: 10.1016/j.ica.2017.12.017

Tkac, P; Momen, A.; Breshears, AT; Brown, M.A.; Vandegrift, GF; ​“Molybdenum(VI) Coordination in Tributyl Phosphate-Chloride Based System.” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 2018, 57, 5661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b00590

(Article featured on the cover of the I&ECR issue)

Outside Volunteer Activities

American Nuclear Society- Chicago Local Chapter Treasurer

Next Generation Nuclear Society- Chair

Curriculum Consultant for Aurora University