Local at Los Alamos

Los Alamos National Laboratory will have a homegrown boss. Terry Wallace was named this week to run the national laboratory, becoming its 11th director in 75 years. He succeeds Charles McMillan, who retires at the end of the year.

Wallace, despite his deep understanding of the lab and its mission, has a tough job ahead of him. At science, innovation and brilliance, the lab and its workers have few peers — in the country or around the globe. However, the lab’s safety record is troubling and must be set right. That will be one of Wallace’s most important tasks.

A native of Los Alamos, Wallace attended Los Alamos High and graduated from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology before receiving advanced degrees from California Institute of Technology. His mother, Jeannette, served as a state representative for 20 years, and his father, Terry Sr., was a laboratory scientist. Now, Wallace has the distinct honor of becoming the first New Mexican to lead the lab.

To that end, Wallace brings a broad understanding of the lab’s mission — his scientific specialty is forensic seismology, meaning he is an expert on the detection and measurement of nuclear tests. Currently, Wallace is principal associate director for global security at the lab.

Ensuring the safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile, adding to our scientific understanding of the world and continuing to embrace the cause of human knowledge — these all are essential missions. Wallace must improve what is not working well and reinforce the excellence the world expects from Los Alamos. All the best to him in his new position.