Neil Henson

Neil Henson serves as a Senior Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a position he has held since 2017 after spending 20 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His expertise centers on computational chemistry applications for energy security and nuclear forensics.

• PhD Chemistry, University of Oxford
• MA (Oxon) Chemistry, University of Oxford
• BA (Oxon) Chemistry, University of Oxford

Dr. Henson's research spans Computational Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Materials Chemistry, with specialized focus on homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysis, energy storage materials, actinide systems, and nuclear forensics. Recent work investigates iodine chemistry in nuclear accident scenarios through PNNL's Chemical Dynamics Initiative, emphasizing radiochemical transmutation effects on short-lived isotopes using simulation and data-driven approaches.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2012-2025) reveals consistent computational focus on nuclear-related chemistry, particularly radioiodine behavior and actinide systems. His work predominantly employs density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics, bridging chemistry, materials science, and nuclear engineering with strong emphasis on real-world applications like reactor safety and nuclear forensics.

No scientific awards were documented in the source material.

While no student advisees are listed, Dr. Henson's research appears supported by PNNL initiatives including the Chemical Dynamics Initiative. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental data interpretation, particularly for nuclear security applications.

Dr. Henson actively contributes to PNNL's Chemical Dynamics Initiative, focusing on chemical processes in nuclear environments. His research connects with broader laboratory efforts in computational chemistry, materials science for energy storage, and nuclear forensics, utilizing advanced simulation tools for complex real-world scenarios.