Gregory Canavan

Gregory Canavan, PhD, is Senior Fellow and Scientific Advisor at Los Alamos National Laboratory and a member of the Fellowship and Programs Council of the Hertz Foundation. He previously chaired the Hertz Board of Directors and has held senior federal roles including DOE Director of the Office of Inertial Fusion, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, and Presidential White House Fellow.

Education

• PhD & MS in Applied Sciences, University of California, Davis – Fluid Mechanics (PhD thesis: “A Lagrangian Wiener-Hermite Expansion for Turbulence”)
• MBA, Auburn University
• BS in Mathematics (highest honors), United States Air Force Academy

Research Interests

Dr. Canavan’s research bridges theoretical fluid mechanics and national security technology. His early work pioneered Lagrangian statistical methods for turbulent flows, while his later career applies physics-based modeling to inertial fusion energy, missile defense architectures, and strategic assessments for Air Force Space Command, U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Strategic Command.

Awards & Honors

• Fellow, American Physical Society (1995)
• White House Fellow (1977)
• Hertz Foundation Fellow (1968)

Advisory & Federal Service

Currently advises multiple combatant commands on missile defense and strategic assessments. Retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 1988 after distinguished service.