Dr. Forsbacka received his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia and his B.S. and M.E. degrees, also in nuclear engineering, from the University of Florida. He is currently a Senior Executive at the U.S. Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) where he leads a group of engineers performing nuclear safety oversight of Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management high-level radioactive waste management, nuclear materials stabilization, and nuclear materials disposition and storage activities. In his nearly 30 years of professional experience, Dr. Forsbacka has served in a variety of leadership positions in nuclear-related science and technology to include:
- Deputy Assistant Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (Department of Homeland Security) for Human Portable Radiation Detection Systems
- Program Executive for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Director (Acting), Project Prometheus (space nuclear power development program), NASA
- Site Representative, Y-12 National Security Site, DNFSB
- Technical Specialist, Nuclear Weapons Group, DNFSB
- Nuclear Research Officer, US Air Force