Njema J. Frazier, Ph.D.
Njema Frazier is the Acting Assistant Deputy Administrator for Strategic Partnership Programs in the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Dr. Frazier’s Program assures that strategic interactions with other federal agencies, private industry, academia, and foreign entities are established, maintained, and conducted in the best interest of the NNSA and the Nation. These interactions include the multi-billion dollar strategic partnership projects and technology transfer activities conducted at NNSA sites; a vast array of mission-relevant partnerships supported through MOUs, CRADAs, grants, centers, working groups, councils, and advisory committees; and headquarters review and oversight actions to ensure compliance with Executive Orders, Federal statutes, Departmental Directives, Congressional language, or DOE/NNSA strategic guidance.
Since joining NNSA in 2001, Dr. Frazier has managed and led a number of flagship scientific and technical programs established by NNSA to ensure the United States maintains a safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons stockpile without explosive testing. This includes the Office of Experimental Sciences, where she served as Director for the newly consolidated, $1.3B weapons science R&D program to direct, plan, coordinate, and execute experiments in fields ranging from nuclear physics, hydrodynamics, plasma physics, and materials science, to high energy density and ignition science.
Additionally, Frazier spent three years representing NNSA on detail as a Visiting Professor at National Defense University, and prior to joining the NNSA, four years as a professional staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science.
A long-time trailblazer in science, Frazier was the first African-American woman to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as the first to receive a Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear physics from Michigan State University. As the co-founder of the DOE POWER (Professional Opportunities for Women at Energy Realized) Employee Resource Group, a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) National Advisory Board, and a member of the Mellon College of Science Dean’s Council, she continues to champion STEM and DEIA in education and the workforce. Currently, Frazier serves as the NNSA representative for the DOE Taskforce on Equity R&D Working Group, for President Biden's EO 13985: Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
Throughout her career, Dr. Frazier has received wide recognition for her leadership and professional excellence, including selection as a Leadership Ambassador for the Department of Energy OneDOE Campaign, a DOE Champion for the Minorities in Energy Initiative (MEI), a recipient of the National Defense University, Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award, a recipient of the National Nuclear Security Administration Distinguished Service Award, an Ebony Magazine, Power 100 Honoree, a Black Engineer of the Year, Science Spectrum's Trailblazer Award recipient; and the 2017 Black Girls Rock! STEM Tech recipient.