When Liuba Pauline Williams was little, her dad gave her a throwaway UNLV jacket. Much too big for the Las Vegas native at the time, it didn't stop her from wearing it every winter while in middle school. In 2013, when she started her first semester as an undergrad in UNLV's chemistry and biochemistry program, she found the jacket fit perfectly.

While attending UNLV might've seemed pre-destined, Williams' entrance into the radiochemistry doctoral program happened more by chance. She had planned on attending medical school until — one fateful day — she stopped by an open house for UNLV's radiochemistry doctoral program.

 “It completely opened my eyes to the world of nuclear science,” says Williams. “I was especially inspired by policy research focused on nonproliferation and national security, work that is both meaningful and urgent.”

The radiochemistry program offers students access to research facilities and highly specialized equipment as well as work and research experiences through valuable partnerships, including with the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). That's led to a 100% placement rate for jobs in the field after graduation.  

UNLV's radiochemistrydoctoral program is robust and well established, having been around for over 20 years. Elsewhere, similar programs often consist of only one faculty member working on a specific area, whereas UNLV has seven faculty members who work and collaborate on a wide array of research. This gives UNLV's graduate students more options to explore what they want to focus on. 

For Williams, that's nuclear forensics with the broader goal of supporting national security and preventing the spread of nuclear materials.

“I sometimes say that I hope my research is never needed, meaning that the threat of swift and accurate attribution of nuclear materials would be enough to prevent an incident from happening in the first place. If it’s doing its job, it’s quietly helping keep people safe, even if they never realize it,” says Williams.

Tell us more about your research.

For my thesis, I study nuclear explosive debris from the NNSS, specifically looking at how materials like concrete and steel, which are common in urban environments, alter the forensic signatures found in the glass formed by a nuclear detonation. 

By understanding how different materials behave under such extreme conditions, my work helps improve the accuracy and speed of nuclear attribution — pinpointing the source of nuclear material — which is critical in the event of an attack. Ultimately, this research contributes to global nonproliferation efforts by strengthening our ability to trace nuclear materials back to their source.

What excites you about the research you are doing?

First, I get to use an arc melter to create surrogate nuclear debris. It’s a powerful tool that can heat materials to thousands of degrees Celsius in just a fraction of a second, simulating the extreme conditions of a nuclear detonation. I’m basically shooting lightning at my samples. It’s both super cool and really useful for my work. 

Second, I’ve had the opportunity to intern at the NNSS, where the U.S. conducted many of its nuclear tests during the Cold War. Visiting the site and studying craters formed by past detonations is both fascinating and humbling. It’s given me a deeper appreciation for the scale and impact of nuclear weapons, and it’s reinforced why this research matters — to help strengthen global safeguards and prevent future use.

You were part of a paper in June 2024 on nuclear safety and potential policy changes. Why does this interest you? 

The word “nuclear” often triggers fear, and understandably so. Its history is tied to secrecy, weapons, and the kind of early research that earned its pioneers the nickname “cowboys.” But, nuclear technology has also quietly contributed to major advances in energy, medicine, and science in ways that are both safe and incredibly valuable. What drew me to this paper was its focus on education as a critical component of nuclear safety policy. 

Knowledge itself is a form of protection. When both scientists and the public better understand nuclear science, we’re more equipped to design safer systems, regulate them responsibly, and respond effectively to any risks. As scientists, we have a responsibility not only to conduct safe and transparent research, but also to communicate it clearly. That’s how we build public trust and ensure that powerful technologies are used wisely and ethically.

How does your research help the everyday person?

At its core, my research supports national and global security. The goal is to make it extremely risky, and therefore unappealing, for bad actors to use nuclear materials for harmful purposes. By improving our ability to trace nuclear materials back to their source, my work helps strengthen the systems that deter illicit use and ensure that facilities handling these materials maintain the highest levels of security. 

What inspired you to get into your field at UNLV?

I was struck by the incredible power of nuclear reactions — not just in terms of energy, but in their potential to make the world a safer place when used responsibly. 

I’m grateful for the experience of attending a R1 university full of super diverse students and teachers, engaging classes, clubs and activities, while still being able to be close to my family and the city I proudly call home.

What has working in the radiochemistry lab at UNLV meant to you? 

The program has given me access to hands-on research experiences that are both rare and incredibly valuable for a graduate student. What really sets UNLV’s radiochemistry program apart is its strong connection with the Nevada National Security Sites, the national laboratories, and leaders in the nuclear science industry. These partnerships offer students technical training, as well as mentoring and career guidance. We’re trained to think critically, work safely, and tackle challenges in nuclear energy, medicine, and security. The program plays a vital role in developing the next generation of experts in nuclear science.

What are other highlights from your academic career that you are the most proud of?

One of the biggest highlights of my graduate career has been working on the Nevada Space Proving Grounds team at the NNSS. It’s been an incredible experience to contribute to research that bridges nuclear science and space exploration. 

Fun fact: The craters and glassy debris created by nuclear detonations are surprisingly similar to those formed by meteoroid impacts on the lunar surface. In fact, the Apollo astronauts trained at the NNSS before their moon landings, and now we’re collaborating with NASA again as they prepare for the Artemis missions to return astronauts to the moon. Being part of that legacy, and supporting the future of space exploration through scientific research, has been an extraordinary and rewarding experience.