Katrina Koehler

Assistant Professor of Physics

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Dr. Koehler’s research interests include using cryogenic low temperature detectors to explore basic properties of atomic and nuclear physics and measure special nuclear material in support of nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation. Her research focuses on data analysis and algorithm development in collaboration with scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Other research interests include advanced analysis algorithms and simulation of neutron multiplicity data and process monitoring to support domestic and international safeguards.

Katrina Koehler CV

Education

BS in Mathematics and Physics | Houghton College
MA in Physics | Western Michigan University
PhD in Physics | Western Michigan University
- Dissertation: “Sensitivity of the Theoretical Electron Capture Shape and Comparisons to Experiment”

Publications

Complete Publication List >

Research

Nuclear Safeguards and Nonproliferation
Nuclear and Atomic Metrology
Diversity in STEM

Invited Presentations

“A Review of Decay Energy Spectroscopy”. 19^th International Workshop on Low Temperature Detectors (LTD19), July 19-29, 2021.
“SAPPY: A Spectral Analysis Program in Python for Microcalorimeter and High-Purity Germanium Data. International Workshop on Isotopic Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium by Nondestructive Assay Techniques for Nuclear Safeguards, Vienna, Austria, February 16, 2021.
“Microcalorimeters: A Bright, Bold Future” presented at:
- Advanced Simulation and Computing Physics and Engineering Program Managers Meeting, April, 2021.
- SUNY Geneseo Physics & Astronomy Colloquium, April 29, 2021.
- Weapons Research Group (WRIG), April 20, 2021.
- University of New Mexico Physics and Engineering Colloquium, March 2, 2021.
- UNM-LANL-SNL Research Webinar, October 23, 2020.
- SEE LANL, January 14, 2020.
- Center for Excellence in Nuclear Training and University (CENTAUR), August 21, 2019.
“Cross-Isotope Validation of Electron Capture Spectral Shape.” Determination of the absolute electron (anti-) neutrino mass, Trento, Italy, March 26–30, 2018.

Professional Activities

Assistant Guest Editor for a special issue of the Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Local Organizing Committee member for the 19^th International Workshop on Low Temperature Detectors
Co-Organizer for and Presenter in the first international workshop on Decay Energy Spectroscopy
Contributor to the Passive Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear Materials Manual

Honors and Awards

R&D 100 Award in the Mechanical/Materials category for the Hyperspectral X-ray Imaging (HXI) detector (2023)
R&D 100 Award in the IT/Electrical category for a Spectrometer Optimized for Facility Integrated Applications (SOFIA) (2022)
2022 Los Alamos National Laboratory Distinguished Performance Award for contributions to the Trinity anniversary special issue of Nuclear Technology
LTD18 Young Researcher Poster Award – 2nd Place at the 18th International Workshop on Low Temperature Detectors
George E. Bradley Award for exceptional overall performance with particular emphasis on excellence in research at Western Michigan University
Charles J. Wilcox Memorial for academic achievement at Western Michigan University

Courses Taught

Data for Good
Data Science I
General Physics I
General Physics II
Modern Physics
Numerical Analysis
Quantum Mechanics
Programming I
Project Lab