Kathy McCormick

Kathy McCormick

Physical Scientist

I was a member of both SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma, although I joined SPS after I graduated to keep contact with the physics community.

I am a physical scientist who has worked for the government since 2010. Prior to this, I was a physicist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory where I worked on security and safety research programs. I'm a radiation detection and nuclear physics subject matter expert , where I am the lead scientist on a radiation monitor portal, which was a program to inspect cargo and conveyances entering the US for smuggled nuclear and radiological material. I also am heavily involved in the organization's non-intrusive inspection operations, which are programs to inspect entering cargo and conveyances with x-ray and gamma-ray scanners so that they do not have to be physically inspected.

I was a member and then chair of the APS Committee on Careers in 2014-2016, and I really enjoyed speaking to students about careers in the government and national labs, and helping them realize some of the APS resources available to help them in their job search. I have recently transferred from Washington, DC to the Cincinnati, OH area and would like to keep active in student engagement.