- Dec. 18, 2025, 4:00 pm US/Central
- Director Thom Mason, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Hosted by: Young-Kee Kim
Tracing the history of U.S. government engagement in research — from World War II and the Manhattan Project to Cold War strategies, export controls and today’s technology transfer policies — Mason highlights how international engagement has both accelerated innovation and introduced new risks.
Using case studies in space exploration, data sharing and artificial intelligence, he underscores the dual benefits and challenges of global collaboration for U.S. competitiveness and security. Mason calls for a nuanced approach: protecting critical science and technology while maintaining the openness and partnerships that drive discovery.
The discussion emphasizes that an uncalibrated response risks undermining U.S. research leadership, while thoughtful international engagement strengthens both economic and national security.
Mason is the director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and president and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC. A physicist by training, he is recognized for his leadership in advancing national security science and stewarding complex research organizations.
Before joining Los Alamos in 2018, Mason served as senior vice president for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle and previously as director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he oversaw major scientific initiatives including the Spallation Neutron Source. At Los Alamos, Mason guides cutting-edge research in nuclear security, energy and materials science, fostering innovation to address national and global challenges.
If you’d like to attend this talk virtually, please email fermilab@fnal.gov. A Zoom link will be sent out Thursday at approximately 1:00 pm.