Douglas Bowen
About Douglas Bowen
Douglas Bowen serves as the Section Head for Nuclear Criticality, Radiation Transport, and Safety at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked since 2020. He has extensive experience in nuclear engineering, having held various leadership roles at both Oak Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratories.
Current Role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Douglas Bowen serves as the Section Head for Nuclear Criticality, Radiation Transport, and Safety at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He has held this position since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of science and technology directions for his section. He works closely with the Division Director of Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division in the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate. Additionally, he ensures a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees feel safe and valued.
Previous Experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Before his current role, Douglas Bowen worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for several years. He served as Group Leader from 2010 to 2012 and as Deputy Group Leader from 2008 to 2010. His earlier role was as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer from 2001 to 2008. Throughout his tenure at Los Alamos, he contributed to various projects and initiatives focused on nuclear safety and criticality.
Past Positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Douglas Bowen has held multiple positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory prior to his current role. He was the Group Leader of the Nuclear Data and Criticality Safety Group from 2017 to 2020 and served as Senior Research and Development Staff from 2012 to 2017. In these roles, he supported Group Leaders in ensuring their success and contributed to the laboratory's research and development efforts in nuclear engineering.
Educational Background in Nuclear Engineering
Douglas Bowen has an extensive educational background in nuclear engineering. He studied at the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree from 1992 to 1995, followed by a Master’s degree from 1995 to 1997. He continued his studies at the same institution and achieved a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nuclear Engineering from 2002 to 2015. His education has provided a strong foundation for his career in nuclear criticality and safety.
Contributions to Safety and Quality Practices
In his professional roles, Douglas Bowen has focused on developing and implementing consistent processes for the peer review of proposals in alignment with laboratory standards. He models proper Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality practices, setting an example for his colleagues and contributing to the overall safety culture within his organization.