It´s truly an exciting time to be working in the IAEA´s Department of Safeguards. The Agency is currently involved in an intense effort to strengthen safeguards by implementing new measures for a more effective and efficient system. Since joining the Agency in 1995 as Head of the Statistical Analysis Section in the Division of Concepts and Planning, I have been involved in the evaluation of traditional safeguards verification activities as well as contributing to the development of new safeguards strengthening measures. In June I was appointed Director of the Division, a position which will allow me to organize, manage, and continue contributing to key elements of the new programme.

I have been involved in international safeguards for my entire professional career. In 1977 following graduation from the University of Wisconsin, USA, with a BS degree in mathematics and physics and a MS degree in nuclear engineering, I accepted a position with the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Tennessee (part of the complex that includes Oak Ridge National Laboratory). I first became involved with the development of international safeguards for reprocessing plants and then for uranium enrichment plants. In 1984 I made the first of many trips to Vienna to participate in experts´ meetings, technical support activities, and training courses for the Safeguards Department. For 12 years I managed successively larger engineering organizations responsible for technical support to the IAEA and various U.S. federal agencies in the development and implementation of international safeguards inspection approaches and procedures.

In 1992, during a one-year assignment to the U.S. Department of State as a technical advisor on international safeguards, I began to consider a position with the IAEA as the next logical step in my career as a safeguards professional. The year following my return to Oak Ridge, I applied and was subsequently selected for the Section Head post. I reported to work in January 1995 not realizing that I was the first woman to become a section head in the Department of Safeguards.

Since joining the Agency, my experience has been extremely positive and rewarding from both a professional and personal standpoint. In my position as Section Head, I was responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of statistical methods for safeguards data evaluation and for organizing the Agency´s new environmental sampling programme for safeguards. As Division Director, I am responsible for development and standardization of safeguards concepts, approaches, procedures, and practices including the new strengthening measures. In addition to my managerial and supervisory responsibilities, I have been extremely fortunate to be able to continue my involvement in technical activities by providing support to the Department in the areas of my expertise. With my uranium enrichment background, I have been requested by the Operations divisions to participate in special projects which often times involves travel to exciting places. Some of my more interesting trips to visit enrichment plants and other nuclear sites have taken me to Siberia in winter, to central China, and to the deserts of southern Algeria. The opportunity to interact with safeguards professionals from around the world has been most rewarding.

On an inspection trip (eating couscous) in Algeria.

My family enjoys living in Vienna. The multicultural experience, the travel opportunities, and the safe environment contribute to Vienna being a wonderful place to raise a family. With my demanding work schedule and frequent duty travel, I am fortunate to have a supportive husband who cares for our children and manages the household on a full-time basis. Our two children (ages 12 and 15) attend the American International School; they especially like the freedom of experiencing Vienna on their own due to the excellent public transportation system and the safety of the city.