Daniel Puentes, PhD

Physical Scientist at the National Nuclear Security Administration

Woodbridge, Virginia, United States

About

Experience

  • Physical Scientist at National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
    Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

    I serve as a physical scientist in NA-MB-921 Office of Studies and Decision Analyses in the Management and Budget (NA-MB) Division. I support NNSA program offices in Defense Programs and Defense Nuclear Non-proliferation in early-stage capital acquisition of line item infrastructure projects. This support includes performing cost/schedule estimates and risk analysis. Other types of analysis include supply/demand and portfolio affordability studies. I also participate and lead model development to improve cost and schedule estimating efforts across the nuclear security enterprise. When needed, I stepped up and served as the acting executive director for Budget in NA-MB for extended periods of time.

  • NNSA Graduate Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
    Jun 2023 - Jun 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

    As a fellow, I supported the NA-MB-92 Office of Analysis and Evaluation in the Management and Bueget division. During the fellowship, I participated in the Aspiring Leaders Certificate Program (ALCP), where I was mentored by members of the Nuclear Forensics Team and Nuclear Verification team. I also shadowed the assistant deputy administrator for Defense Nuclear Non-proliferation. I went to different site visits for mission-critical and training purposes, such as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Nevada National Security Site and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

  • Michigan State University (Contract · 6 yrs)
    • Graduate Research Assistant
      May 2018 - May 2023 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      During my time as a graduate student in the Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap (LEBIT) group at MSU, I participated and contributed to performing high-precision mass measurements using Time of Flight Ion Cyclotron Resonance in a Penning trap. The topic of my dissertation was measuring the mass of 24Si and developing a prototype for a beam stopper to perform collision-induced dissociation of low energy molecular ion beams. I also supported LEBIT operations through circuit board construction, cryogenic sustainment and regular facility maintenance.

    • Graduate Teaching Assistant
      Aug 2017 - May 2018 · 10 mos

    • Graduate Research Assistant
      Jun 2017 - Aug 2017 · 3 mos

  • International Fuel Cycle Strategies Intern at Nuclear Threat Initiative
    Sep 2020 - Dec 2020 · 4 mos

  • Self Employed Tutor at N/A
    Jan 2017 - Jun 2017 · 6 mos