Former U.S. Nuclear Weapons Research Leader Charles McMillan Dies in New Mexico Car Crash

A prominent scientist in U.S. nuclear weapons research, Charles McMillan, has passed away following a car accident in New Mexico. He held esteemed positions at Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos national laboratories, dedicating 23 years to Livermore and 18 years to Los Alamos, where he served as director for six years until his retirement in 2017. The fatal accident took place on a road near the laboratory, with the current lab director and police confirming the incident. McMillan was hospitalized after the crash, but despite efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The laboratory and university figures expressed their condolences and praised his contributions to science, technology, and national security.

Influence and Accomplishments

During his tenure at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which he joined in 2006, McMillan oversaw significant developments and faced challenges such as expansion and safety incidents. Under his leadership, the lab made strides in various areas, including efforts to develop an HIV vaccine and improvements in climate change modeling. He was also recognized for his contributions to supercomputing and artificial intelligence, which were acknowledged by both Democratic and Republican political figures.