Brian D. Wirth is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, as well as a materials scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Much of his work has focused on using computation and experimentation to understand the processes that degrade materials subject to the hostile conditions within a nuclear reactor. In 2003 he was a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for his role in promoting the safety of present and future nuclear technology.
Professor Wirth's research interests include: Developing improved understanding and models of microstructure — property relationships and microstructural evolution during processing and service in hostile environments, with an emphasis on irradiation effects on materials in current and future nuclear energy systems, using computational multiscale modeling and advanced experimental techniques.