LTC Christina L. Dugan
LTC Dugan is currently an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and the Deputy Director of the Nuclear Expertise for Advancing Technologies at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Her dissertation research focused on the electrical characterization of Crystalline UO2, ThO2 and U0.71Th0.29O2 with the goal of developing a compact, portable solid-state neutron detector with a very large capture pulse. Working in partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory, her multi-disciplinary research required incorporating a fundamental knowledge base from nuclear engineering, mathematics, electrical engineering, chemistry, and material physics. LTC Dugan's study involves modeling the solid-state detector, characterizing the pre- and post- neutron irradiated uranium dioxide via various spectroscopic techniques, and satellite integration. Her master’s thesis focused on characterizing undoped and Mn doped Lithium Tetraborate via cathodoluminescence and photoemission spectroscopy for novel solid state neutron detection. She presented her research at two American Physical Society conferences, a national meeting of the Material Research Society, and was selected as a top 10 finalist for presentation at the Colorado Homeland Defense Alliance National Security Innovation Competition.
Education
PhD, Nuclear Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson, AFB, OH, 2018
Intermediate Level Education, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2014
M.S., Nuclear Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson, AFB, OH, 2011
U.S. Army Nuclear and Counter-Proliferation Officer Course (NCP-52), Defense Threat Reduction Univ., Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, 2008
Combined Logistics Career Course, U.S. Army Logistics Management College, Fort Lee, VA, 2005
Ordnance Maintenance/Munitions Management Officer Basic Course, Aberdeen, MD, 2000
B.S., Chemistry, Nuclear Engineering sequence, United States Military Acadamy, West Point, NY, 2000
Awards
U.S. Army MG William L. Sibert Award – Best CBRN Unit, 2020
U.S. Army Deployment Excellence Award - Small Unit Category, 2020
USAFA Basic Science Division Instructor of the Quarter, Spring 2012
Top 10 Finalist in 2011 National Security Innovation Competition, 2011
Inducted into Tau Beta Pi, top 20% of engineering students nationally Top 10 Finalist in 2011 National Security Innovation Competition
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster Joint Military Unit Award
Army Superior Unit Award Combat Action Badge
Air Assault Medal
Publications
[9] Knight, C. Dugan, J. Petrosky, A. Mock, P. Dowben, J.M. Mann, M. Kimani, and M. Schubert, “Infrared- Active Phonon Modes in Single-Crystal Thorium Dioxide and Uranium Dioxide, Journal of Applied Physics, 127, 125103, March 2020
[8] A. Mock, C. Dugan, S. Knight, R. Korlacki, J. M. Mann, M. Kimani, J. Petrosky, P. Dowben, M. Schubert, “Band-to-Band Transitions and Critical Points in the Near-Infrared to Vacuum Ultraviolet Dielectric Functions of Single Crystal Urania and Thoria”, Applied Physics Letters, 114, pp211901, May 2019
[7] C. Dugan, C. Young, R. Carmona, M. Schneider, J. Petrosky, J. M. Mann, E. Hunt, and J.W. McClory, “The Debye Temperature of a Single Crystal Thorium Uranium Dioxide Alloy”, Physica Status Solidi – Rapid Research Letters, vol. 12, no. 12, 1800436 (5 pages), December 2018
[6] C. Dugan, G. Peterson, A. Mock, C. Young, J. M. Mann, M. Nastasi, M. Schubert, L. Want, W. Mei, L. Tanabe, P. Dowben, and J. Petrosky, “Electrical and Material Properties of Hydrothermally Grown Single Crystal (111) UO2”, The European Physical Journal B, 91:67, April 2018
[5] C. Dugan, R. Hengehold, S. McHale, J. Santana, J. McClory, V. Adamiv, Y. Burak, Y. Losovyj and P. Dowben, "Reversible Mn Segregation at the Polar Surface of Lithium Tetraborate", Applied Physics Letters, vol. 102, 161602 (4 pages), April 2013
[4] C. Dugan, R. Hengehold, S. McHale, Ya. Losovyj, J. W. McClory, and J. Petrosky, “Photoemission and Cathodoluminescence of Doped Lithium Tetraborate Crystals Being Developed for Neutron Detection", Material Research Society Symposium, vol. 134, Nuclear Radiation Detection Materials, July 2011
[3] C. Dugan, S. McHale, B. Kananen, and B. Thomas, “Enhancing Neutron Detection Capabilities with Solid State Devices”, 2011 National Security Innovation Competition Proceedings Report, April 2011
[2] C. Dugan, R. Hengehold, and J. McClory, “Cathodoluminescence Study of Undoped and Mn Doped Lithium Tetraborate Crystals Being Developed for Neutron Detection”, Meeting Ohio-Region Section of the APS, Vol. 56, Number 3, Spring 2011, April 2011
[1] C. Dugan, R. Hengehold, S. McHale, J. McClory, and J. Petrosky, “Photoemission of Doped Lithium Tetraborate Crystals Being Developed for Neutron Dosimetry”, Joint Fall 2010 Meeting of the APS Ohio Section and AAPT Appalachian and Southern Ohio Sections, Vol. 55, Number 8, October 2010