advisor
  Vladimir Knapp, Ph.D.
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Dr. Vladimir Knapp has devoted the majority of his scientific life to the study of nuclear physics and of safe development of nuclear energy. However, since his retirement from the academic world, responding to the needs of his country, Dr. Knapp has become devoted to finding safer and faster methods for de-mining. De-mining has been recognized as a humanistic and scientific challenge to which many leading world laboratories have responded. As a collaborating member of the Croatian Academy of Science and Art, Dr. Knapp has organized an interdisciplinary group within the Academy to evaluate proposed new methods of mine detection. In 1998 the Croatian government formed the Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC) and this Academy group was named scientific council. Chaired by Dr. Knapp, the scientific council is comprised of approximately 30 highly qualified members, currently covers a wide range of mine related topics and is actively involved in several large international programs to develop new mine detection methods. Dr. Knapp was leading Croatian involvement in two of these international projects.

Dr. Knapp was born in Sarajevo, but has spent the majority of his life in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1954 he obtained a B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Zagreb. He went on to pursue his Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Birmingham. He continued postdoctoral work in Nuclear Physics at the Institute “Rudjer Boskovic” in Zagreb.

As a research Fellow at Birmingham, Professor Knapp work extensively on the Moessbauer effect. He then went on to head the Laboratory for Nuclear Spectroscopy at “Rudjer Boskovic.” In 1962, he became a member of the scientific council to the Federal Atomic Energy Commission of Yugoslavia. His work in nuclear energy primarily dealt with the issues of the long-term perspective of nuclear energy and its safety. In 1965 he was appointed Associate Professor of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Zagreb University and was named full Professor in 1975. He headed the Physics Department from 1967 until his retirement in 1996. While at Zagreb, Professor Knapp participated in the IAEA coordinated research project "Potential Role of Advanced Reactors to World Energy Supply". After his retirement in 1996, Professor Knapp was elected Professor Emeritus of the Physics Department, which allowed him to continue research work.

For many years, Dr. Knapp was occupied with the problem of the compatibility of military and peaceful use of nuclear energy. He actively participated in many Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and acted as chairman of the Croatian Pugwash Group. When in 1992 the Croatian Nuclear Society was formed, he was elected as its first President. As Program Committee chairman Dr. Knapp initiated the Society’s annual conferences, which have developed into internationally recognized biannual conferences on “Nuclear energy in countries with small and medium electricity grids” held in Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast.

Dr. Vladimir Knapp has brought his expertise to AMCIPS in order to assist us with our studies and programs regarding the plight of those living in war torn areas, and especially the children of those areas who have suffered from the devastation of land mines. His background in energy research will further assist AMCIPS regarding policy development for sustainable development.