Dr. Sarah Case Lackner

Director, Emerging Technologies Programme
"This is a nice short quote"

Areas of Research

  • Security of nuclear and radiological materials and facilities globally against malicious non-State actors
  • Emerging and disruptive technologies and their effect on nuclear energy production, safety, security and nonproliferation
  • The role of parliamentarians and other non-expert policymakers in nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation
  • Role of international organisations and multilateral negotiations in nuclear security
  • Interfaces between nuclear safety and nuclear security

Background

Dr. Case Lackner joined the VCDNP as a Senior Fellow in September 2023.  She was previously a Senior Nuclear Security Officer in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Division of Nuclear Security, where she served as the Scientific Secretary for the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee and the Director General’s Advisory Committee on Nuclear Security.  She was also Co-Scientific Secretary of the 2022 Conference of Parties to the A/CPPNM.

Prior to arriving at the IAEA, Dr. Case Lackner served in the US Department of State as a Physical Scientist in the Office of Nuclear Energy, Safety, and Security, advising primarily on international nuclear security matters, and in the Office of China and Mongolian Affairs. She previously served as Senior Programme Officer on the US National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Nuclear and Radiation Studies, organising panels, meetings, and publications related to nuclear security.

Education

Dr. Case Lackner received her PhD in Physics from the University of Chicago in 2007. Previously, she completed a BA in Physics with honours at Columbia University.

Related Content

Launch Event: Balancing Innovation and Nuclear Security for AI and IoT Technologies
VCDNP launched its latest report on the intersection of the Internet of Things, AI, and nuclear security in a webinar on 15 January 2026, featuring the report’s authors VCDNP Senior Fellow Dr. Sarah Case Lackner and Research Associate Mara Zarka.
Balancing Innovation and Nuclear Security for AI and IoT Technologies
VCDNP experts Dr. Sarah Case Lackner and Mara Zarka address the intersection of the Internet of Things, AI, and nuclear security, providing policymakers with recommendations on how to best harness IIoT and AI while maintaining robust nuclear security in an increasingly digital world.
15 January 2026 • 
Drones in Modern Conflict: Governance Challenges and Pathways 
The VCDNP held a webinar with Dr. George Moore on the evolution of drone technology, in particular in military operations, discussing regulations, privacy concerns, and potential future developments.
16 December 2025 • 
Frontier AI and Nuclear Security: Evolving Risks and Mitigation Strategies
The VCDNP and the Frontier Model Forum held a panel discussion to discuss the evolving risks and mitigation strategies at the nexus of frontier AI and nuclear security.
16 December 2025 • 
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